Charles-François Gounod (17 June 1818 – 18 October 1893), usually known as Charles Gounod, was a French composer. He wrote twelve operas, of which the most popular has always been Faust (1859); his Roméo et Juliette (1867) also remains in the international repertory. He composed a large amount of church music, many songs, and popular short pieces including his Ave Maria (an elaboration of a Bach piece), and Funeral March of a Marionette.
Born in Paris into an artistic and musical family Gounod was a student at the Conservatoire de Paris and won France's most prestigious musical prize, the Prix de Rome. His studies took him to Italy, Austria and then Prussia, where he met Felix Mendelssohn, whose advocacy of the music of Bach was an early influence on him. He was deeply religious, and after his return to Paris, he briefly considered becoming a priest. He composed prolifically, writing church music, songs, orchestral music and operas.
Gounod's career was disrupted by the Franco-Prussian War. He moved to England with his family for refuge from the Prussian advance on Paris in 1870. After peace was restored in 1871 his family returned to Paris but he remained in London, living in the house of an amateur singer, Georgina Weldon, who became the controlling figure in his life. After nearly three years he broke away from her and returned to his family in France. His absence, and the appearance of younger French composers, meant that he was no longer at the forefront of French musical life; although he remained a respected figure he was regarded as old-fashioned during his later years, and operatic success eluded him. He died at his house in Saint-Cloud, near Paris at the age of 75.
Few of Gounod's works remain in the regular international repertoire, but his influence on later French composers was considerable. In his music there is a strand of romantic sentiment that is continued in the operas of Jules Massenet and others; there is also a strand of classical restraint and elegance that influenced Gabriel Fauré. Claude Debussy wrote that Gounod represented the essential French sensibility of his time.
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Some of their strengths
Charles Gounod has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Ambitious, Quick-witted, Intelligent, Passionate, Communicative, and Optimistic.
Charming and Quick-witted
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Charles Gounod is someone who is a charming, quick-witted, and energetic person who combines passion and intelligence with an ability to feel what others are feeling and to effectively communicate with them. A person who is charismatic and resourceful.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Charles Gounod well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Inventive and Clever
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Charles Gounod as someone who is flexible, intelligent, and quick-witted.
A person who likes to be creative, and to be recognized for their artistic talents. Who possesses intelligence, mental discipline, and ambition, and who does well in relationships and partnerships.
Perceptive and Visionary
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Charles Gounod is someone who has a natural awareness about what is going on in the surrounding environment and the world at large, and a refined vision of how to navigate it.
They are also someone who is calm, comforting, and stable, and who loves stability and being a good friend and loyal partner.
Logical and Reasonable
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Charles Gounod tends to be someone who is understanding, logical, and reasonable. Who can be intellectual and intuitive, speak the truth at any cost, be witty and sociable, and live life to its fullest.
Some of Charles Gounod's challenges
While Charles Gounod has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Charles Gounod can be Impulsive, Hypocritical, Self-centered, Careless, Unfocused, Indecisive, and Rebellious.
Hypocritical and Self-centered
One of Charles Gounod's key challenges is that they are someone who can be perceived as hypocritical and self-centered.
Charles Gounod must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Unfocused and Indecisive
Charles Gounod is someone who can be scattered, restless, and insensitive, be distracted by fluctuating professional interests, be a workaholic, and who can be arrogant and have difficulty accepting advice.
Indecisive and Distracted
Finally, Charles Gounod also can have a hard time staying focused and can easily become restless.
