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Adam, Adolphe (Charles) (b. Paris, 1803; d. Paris, 1856). French composer and critic. Studied Paris Conservatory with Reicha and with Boiedieu. Wrote 70 operas, mostly opéras comiques, of which best-known are Le Postillon de Longjumeau (1836) and Si j'étais roi (1852). He also wrote church music, songs, and several ballets, including Giselle (1841). Professor of composition, Paris Conservatory from 1849.

Ansermet, Ernest (b. Vevey, Switzerland, 1883; d. Geneva, 1969). Swiss conductor. Studied music in Paris and in Geneva with E. Bloch, among others. Became conductor at Kursaal, Montreux, 1911. Conducted for Diaghilev's Russian Ballet 1915-23, touring widely. Conducted Buenos Aires SO, 1924-7. In 1918 founded L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, of which he remained conductor until 1967. Noted as interpreter of Stravinsky (conducted several first performances), Ravel, and Debussy. Salzburg Festival début 1942 (Vienna Philarmonic Orchestra). Début NY Met 1962 (Pelléas et Mélisande).

Arensky, Anton (Stepanovich) (b. Novgorod, 1861; d. Terijoki, Finland, 1906). Russian composer. Studied in St. Petersburg with Rimsky-Korsakov. Professor of harmony and counterpoint, Moscow Conservatory 1882. Composed 3 operas, 2 string qts., and symphonies, but best known works are the pianoforte concertos, violin concerto in A minor, pianoforte trio in D minor (in memory of the cellist Davidov), Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky for string quartet, and many piano forte pieces.

Auric, Georges (b. Lodève, Hérault, France, 1899; d. Paris, 1983). French composer. Studied Paris Conservatory 1913 and Schola Cantorum (pupil of d'Indy) 1914-16. Youngest member of Les Six. Wrote for Diaghilev ballet in 1920s and worked as music critic. General administrator for Paris Opéra and Opéra Comique 1962-68. Works include operas, ballets (notably Les Matelots, 1925), film music, orchestra works, piano forte sonata, songs etc.