The Belgian composer Peter Leonardus Benoit was born on August 17, 1834, in Harelbeke. He died on March 8, 1901, in Antwerp. March 2026 will mark the 125th anniversary of his death.
Peter Benoit studied at the Brussels Conservatory from 1851 to 1855. Even during his studies, he composed a number of works, including the opera “The Village in the Mountains” for the Théâtre Royal du Parc, where he became conductor after graduating. In 1857, Benoit was awarded the Belgian Prix de Rome for his cantata “Le Meurtre d’Abel.” The prize enabled him to undertake an extensive tour with extended stays in Cologne, Bonn, Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, and Munich. In 1861, he became conductor of the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, founded by Jacques Offenbach.
Peter Benoit studied at the Brussels Conservatory from 1851 to 1855. Even during his studies, he composed a number of works, including the opera “The Village in the Mountains” for the Théâtre Royal du Parc, where he became conductor after graduating. In 1857, Benoit was awarded the Belgian Prix de Rome for his cantata “Le Meurtre d’Abel.” The prize enabled him to undertake an extensive tour with extended stays in Cologne, Bonn, Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, and Munich. In 1861, he became conductor of the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, founded by Jacques Offenbach.
Belgium 1.6.1934
The video shows Belgian pianist Emmy Wils (*1994) performing Fantasy No. 3, Op. 18,
from a series of four piano works composed by Peter Benoit around 1860 in Paris.