Composer and music critic, born in Paris. He began to compose at five, and studied at the Paris Conservatoire, writing his first symphony in 1853. He was a distinguished pianist and organist, and in 1871 helped to found the Société Nationale de Musique. He wrote four further symphonies, 13 operas, of which the best known is Samson et Dalila (1877), and the popular Carnaval des animaux (1886, Carnival of the Animals). He also wrote piano, violin, and cello concertos, church music (including his Messe solennelle, 1855), chamber music, and songs.