THOMAS, Charles Ambroise, eminent French composer, born at Metz, . The son of a musician, he learnt his notes with his alphabet, and while still a child played the piano and violin. Having entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1828, he carried off the first prize for piano in 1829, for harmony in 1830, and the Grand Prix in 1832. He also studied the piano with Kalkbrenner, harmony with Barbereau, and composition with the venerable Lesueur, who used to call...