A 1817 conviction for counterfeiting, fraud, and forgery forced Nicolas-Charles Bochsa to flee France, ending a career as harpist to the Imperial Orchestra of Napoleon. Despite his criminal reputation, the composer and musician remained active across Europe, North America, and eventually Australia, leaving behind a diverse catalog of operas and instructional contributions to harp performance.
Early Career and Training
Born in 1789 in Montmédy, France, Bochsa displayed musical aptitude early, playing flute and piano by age seven. He entered the Conservatoire de Paris in 1807, earning a first prize in harmony. By 1813, his status in the musical community allowed him to join Napoleon’s Imperial Orchestra as a harpist. During this period, he also focused on composition, specifically for the Opéra-Comique.
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Bochsa’s legal troubles began in 1817 when he faced charges of forgery and counterfeiting. To escape a sentence of twelve years hard labour and a 4,000-franc fine, he fled to London. He established himself in the British capital, becoming a founder and secretary of the Royal Academy of Music in 1821. He instructed students such as Elias Parish Alvars, though his tenure ended in 1826 following the exposure of his criminal record in France. He subsequently took on the role of musical director at the Kings Theatre.
Professional Partnerships and Final Years
In 1839, Bochsa entered a relationship with opera singer Anna Bishop, the wife of Henry Bishop. Their partnership involved extensive tours throughout Europe and North America. While in Naples, he served as the director of the Teatro di San Carlo for two years. He arrived in Sydney, Australia, in December 1855 during the Victorian gold rush. Following one final performance with Bishop, he died in 1856 and was buried at Camperdown Cemetery.
Musical Works
Bochsa composed various operas during his career. Notable works include Le Retour de Trajan, ou, Rome triomphante, Les Héritiers Michau, ou Le Moulin de Lieursain, L'Héritier de Paimpol, Le Roi et la ligue, Les Noces de Gamache, La Lettre de change, and Un Mari pour étrennes.
Fast facts
- Born: 1789, Montmédy
- Died: 1856, Sydney
- Occupations: composer, conductor, harpist, musicologist
- Education: Conservatoire de Paris
- Burial site: Camperdown Cemetery
- Key associations: Royal Academy of Music, Teatro di San Carlo
- Nationality: France
Questions readers ask
Was Bochsa connected to any literary characters?
His relationship with Anna Bishop is widely considered to have inspired the Svengali and Trilby dynamic in George du Maurier's 1894 novel, Trilby.
What were the primary musical fields of Bochsa?
He was a multi-faceted musician who worked as a composer, conductor, choreographer, opera singer, harpist, musicologist, and music educator.
Achievements
- Instruments: harp
- Genres: opera
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