Félix Godefroid
Encyclopedia
Dieudonné-Félix Godefroid (Namur, 24 July 1818 - Villers-sur-Mer, 12 July 1897) was a Belgian harpist, who composed for his instrument and for the piano.
Félix Godefroid was born at Namur
, where his father failed in a theater venture and moved the family to Boulogne-sur-Mer
, where he opened a music school. In 1832 Félix entered the Conservatoire de Paris
to follow study harp with François Joseph Naderman
. Impressed with the pedal harp
perfected by Sébastien Érard
, Godefroid elected to pursue a concert career. From 1839, he began a brilliant solo tour through Europe and the Levant. In 1847, Félix Godefroid settled in Paris and finally made his debut there. Called the "Paganinini of the harp" he became a great virtuoso, giving concerts throughout Europe.
Besides his pieces for harp and for piano, on which he was also a virtuoso performer, Godefroid composed masses and two operas, La Harpe d'or and [La Fille de Saül. His didactic work Mes exercices pour la harpe was employed by several generations of harpists
The Belgian painter Félicien Rops
made his portrait in August 1856.
His older brother Jules-Joseph Godefroid (1811-1840) was also a harpist and composer.
The Concours Godefroid, established to mark the centennial of his death, is held every three years at his natal city of Namur.
Félix Godefroid was born at Namur
Namur (city)
Namur is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and of Wallonia....
, where his father failed in a theater venture and moved the family to Boulogne-sur-Mer
Boulogne-sur-Mer
-Road:* Metropolitan bus services are operated by the TCRB* Coach services to Calais and Dunkerque* A16 motorway-Rail:* The main railway station is Gare de Boulogne-Ville and located in the south of the city....
, where he opened a music school. In 1832 Félix entered the Conservatoire de Paris
Conservatoire de Paris
The Conservatoire de Paris is a college of music and dance founded in 1795, now situated in the avenue Jean Jaurès in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, France...
to follow study harp with François Joseph Naderman
François Joseph Naderman
François Joseph Naderman, born on 5 August 1781 in Paris, where he died on 2 April 1835, was a classical harpist, teacher and composer, the eldest son of the well-known eighteenth century harp maker Jean Henri Naderman...
. Impressed with the pedal harp
Pedal harp
The pedal harp is a large and technically modern harp, designed primarily for classical music and played either solo, as part of chamber ensembles, as soloist with or as a section or member in an orchestra...
perfected by Sébastien Érard
Sébastien Érard
Sébastien Érard , born Sébastien Erhard, was a French instrument maker of German origin who specialised in the production of pianos and harps, developing the capacities of both instruments and pioneering the modern piano....
, Godefroid elected to pursue a concert career. From 1839, he began a brilliant solo tour through Europe and the Levant. In 1847, Félix Godefroid settled in Paris and finally made his debut there. Called the "Paganinini of the harp" he became a great virtuoso, giving concerts throughout Europe.
Besides his pieces for harp and for piano, on which he was also a virtuoso performer, Godefroid composed masses and two operas, La Harpe d'or and [La Fille de Saül. His didactic work Mes exercices pour la harpe was employed by several generations of harpists
The Belgian painter Félicien Rops
Félicien Rops
Félicien Rops was a Belgian artist, and printmaker in etching and aquatint.-Early life:Rops was born in Namur as the only son to Nicholas Rops and Sophie Maubile. He was educated at the University of Brussels...
made his portrait in August 1856.
His older brother Jules-Joseph Godefroid (1811-1840) was also a harpist and composer.
The Concours Godefroid, established to mark the centennial of his death, is held every three years at his natal city of Namur.
Publications
- Mes exercices pour la harpe (1891)
- Étude de concert en mi bémol mineur pour harpe (1978)