François Benoist

François Benoist, (10 September 1794 in Nantes – 6 May 1878 in Paris), was a French organist, composer, and pedagogue. He studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris and won the Prix de Rome in 1815 for his cantata Œnone. In 1819, he became organist (organiste du roi) and professor of organ at the Conservatoire; he held the latter post for half a century. His students included César Franck, Camille Saint-Saëns, Charles Lecocq, Louis Lefébure-Wely... more

François Benoist, (10 September 1794 in Nantes – 6 May 1878 in Paris), was a French organist, composer, and pedagogue. He studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris and won the Prix de Rome in 1815 for his cantata Œnone. In 1819, he became organist (organiste du roi) and professor of organ at the Conservatoire; he held the latter post for half a century. His students included César Franck, Camille Saint-Saëns, Charles Lecocq, Louis Lefébure-Wely, and Adolphe Adam. As composer, he was comparatively unimportant, but did write two operas, four ballets, one Requiem Mass, and numerous works for organ. less