Bessems, Antoine

BESSEMS, Antoine, violinist, born April 4, 1806; in his sixteenth year composed motets and church music, and in 1826 was a scholar of Baillot's at the Conservatoire, Paris; in 1829 one of the first violins at the Théâtre Italien. After this he travelled, returned to Antwerp for a time, and finally settled in Paris as a teacher. He composed much for the voice (both solo and chorus) and for the violin.