Bizet, Georges

orig. Alexandre-César-Léopold Bizet

(born Oct. 25, 1838, Paris, France—died June 3, 1875, Bougival) French composer. Son of a music teacher, he gained admission to the Paris Conservatoire at age 9, and at age 17 he wrote the precocious (1855). Intent on success on the operatic stage, he produced (1863), (1866), and (1871). Disgusted with the frivolity of French light opera, he determined to reform the genre of . In 1875 his masterpiece, , reached the stage. Though its harsh realism repelled many, quickly won international enthusiasm and was recognized as the supreme example of . Bizet's death soon after its premiere cut short a remarkable career.

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