Emile Pessard

French composer (29 May 1843 - 10 February 1917). Pessard was born and died in Paris. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire where he won 1st prize in Harmony. In 1866 he won the Grand Prix de Rome with his cantata Dalila which was performed at the Paris Opera on February 21, 1867. From 1878 to 1880 he was inspector of singing at Paris Schools, in 1881 he became professor of Harmony at the Paris Conservatory. His students included William Molard, Albert Seitz, and Justin Élie. After 1895 he was a critic and director. He composed many comic operas and operettas, as well as masses.