Jules Massenet (1842–1912) was one of the foremost French composers of the late Romantic era. Born near Saint-Étienne, he studied at the Paris Conservatoire, winning the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1863 before establishing himself as one of France’s leading opera composers. His music is celebrated for its lyrical elegance, expressive warmth and masterful orchestration.

Massenet composed more than thirty operas, among them Manon (1884), Werther (1892) and Thaïs (1894), works that secured his international reputation. Although many of his operas are performed less frequently today, the beautiful Méditation from Thaïs has become one of the most cherished works in the violin repertoire, admired for its soaring melody and heartfelt simplicity. As Professor of Composition at the Paris Conservatoire, Massenet also influenced a generation of French composers, leaving a lasting legacy both as a composer and teacher.