David, Félicien-César

David, Félicien-César (13 April 1810, Cadenet; 29 August 1876, Saint-Germain-en-Laye), composer, was raised by his sister after the death of his father, who had given him music lessons at a very early age. A member of the Opéra orchestra heard him sing and urged him to study voice. David followed the advice of this enthusiastic oboe player and also wrote a few hymns and motets before he was 13. He completed his academic studies at the Jesuit school of Aix and then became chapelmaster at…