Eugène Bigot
1888 - 1965
French
Biography
French conductor and composer Eugène Bigot was born in Rennes on February 28th 1888. Before attending the Paris Conservatory, he studied the violin and piano at the Rennes Conservatory. When he moved to the Paris Conservatory in 1905, his teachers included Xavier Leroux, André Gédalge and Paul Vidal. In 1913, he was appointed chorus master in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées until the First World War, after which he toured Europe with the Ballets Suédois, a company for whom he composed a number of works. His most significant positions after this included president and director of the Concerts Lamoureux (1935-50), principle conductor of the Opéra-Comique (1936-47) and as a radio conductor. His repertory was mostly 19th-century works, being highly regarded for his interpretations of Wagner, Russian music and French composers. Bigot also premiered a number of contemporary works by composers including Alain, Barraud, Hubeau, Rivier and Sauguet. He died on July 17th 1965 and his compositions include instrumental pieces, chamber music, ballet suites and symphonic works.