Jules Massenet.

Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet

Born 12 May 1842 Saint-Etienne, France

Died 13 Aug 1912 Paris, France

Citizenship France

6 min read

Reading time

1,119

Words

Apr 20, 2026

Published

Film credit

Books

Awards

TL;DR

Jules Massenet composed Werther and Manon, two pillars of French opera. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and won the Prix de Rome in 1863. His works remain staples of the operatic repertoire.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Jules Massenet — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet

Aliases Massenet

PARENTS: Alexis Massenet
SPOUSES: Louise Constance de Gressy
CHILDREN: Juliette Massenet
SIBLINGS: Auguste Massenet

At a glance.

STATS

Jules Massenet by the numbers — life, work, and family.

70 Years lived

1 Film credit

12 Books

8 Awards

1 Marriage

1 Child

Who was Jules Massenet?

BIOGRAPHY

Jules Massenet — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet was born on 12 May 1842 in Saint-Etienne, Loire, to Alexis Massenet. His early education took place at the Lycée Saint-Louis in Paris.

He enrolled at the Conservatoire de Paris, studied music, and won the Prix de Rome in 1863.

Career

Massenet’s career focused on opera. He won the Prix de Rome in 1863, funding a residency at the Villa Medici. Manon premiered in 1884, Werther in 1892. Both remain in the standard repertoire. His music appears in films such as Marathon Man 1976, Transamerica 2005, and Tau 2018. Massenet received the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour and the Order of Leopold.

Personal life

Massenet married Louise-Constance de Gressy. The couple had a daughter, Juliette Massenet. He had a brother, Auguste Massenet. After studying at the Conservatoire de Paris, he lived in Paris until his death in 1912.

Legacy

Massenet’s operas Werther and Manon remain central to the French repertoire. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles. His music appears in films such as Marathon Man and Transamerica.

Filmography.

FILMS · 1

Browse the complete filmography of Jules Massenet — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

Movie

Werther

2005

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 8

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Jules Massenet — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Prix de Rome
Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
resident at the Villa Medici
Knight of the Legion of Honour
Officer of the Legion of Honour
Commander of the Legion of Honour
Order of Leopold
Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 12

Jules Massenet's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon Goodreads

Manon

by Jules Massenet
Amazon Goodreads

Werther

by Jules Massenet
Amazon

Marchesi and Music

by Mathilde Marchesi et al.
Amazon

Cleopatra

by Jules Massenet et al.
Amazon

Mes Souvenirs

by Jules Massenet
Amazon

Cendrillon Opera Score

by Jules Massenet
Amazon

Aso N.61 – Werther

by Jules Massenet

Could not load more books.

Did you know?

FACTS · 1

Little-known facts about Jules Massenet — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Massenet composed the French opera staples Werther and Manon.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Jules Massenet.

When was Jules Massenet born?

Jules Massenet was born on May 12, 1842. His full birth name was Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet. He was born in Saint-Etienne, Loire, France, to Alexis Massenet.
Where was Jules Massenet born?

Jules Massenet was born in Saint-Etienne, Loire, Rhône-Alpes, France. He later moved to Paris for his education and career.
When did Jules Massenet die?

Jules Massenet died on August 13, 1912. He was 70 years old. He passed away in Paris, France.
How old was Jules Massenet when he died?

Jules Massenet died at age 70. He was born on May 12, 1842, and died on August 13, 1912, in Paris.
Where did Jules Massenet die?

Jules Massenet died in Paris, France. He spent most of his career in Paris, where he had studied and established his reputation.
What is Jules Massenet's real name?

Jules Massenet’s full birth name is Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet. He was born on May 12, 1842, in Saint-Etienne, France.
What did Jules Massenet do for a living?

Jules Massenet was a composer. He is primarily known for his operas, particularly Werther and Manon.
What nationality is Jules Massenet?

Jules Massenet was French. He was born in Saint-Etienne, France, and lived most of his life in Paris. His works are a cornerstone of French opera.
Who are Jules Massenet's parents?

Jules Massenet’s father was Alexis Massenet. Information about his mother is not widely recorded.
Who is Jules Massenet married to?

Jules Massenet was married to Louise Constance de Gressy. They had one child, a daughter named Juliette Massenet.
Does Jules Massenet have children?

Yes, Jules Massenet had one child, a daughter named Juliette Massenet. He was married to Louise Constance de Gressy.
Does Jules Massenet have any siblings?

Yes, Jules Massenet had a brother named Auguste Massenet. Auguste was also involved in music.
Where did Jules Massenet go to school?

Jules Massenet attended the Lycée Saint-Louis for his secondary education. He then studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he honed his composition skills.
What awards has Jules Massenet won?

Jules Massenet won the Prix de Rome in 1863, which allowed him to reside at the Villa Medici. He also received multiple honors from the Legion of Honour, including Knight, Officer, Commander, and Grand Officer. Additionally, he was awarded the Order of Leopold and the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles.
How many awards has Jules Massenet won?

Jules Massenet won eight major awards. These include the Prix de Rome, multiple ranks in the Legion of Honour, and the Order of Leopold. He also received the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles.
What alias did Jules Massenet use?

Jules Massenet was commonly known by his surname Massenet. His full name is Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet. He often signed his works simply as Massenet.
What is Jules Massenet known for?

Jules Massenet is known for his operas Werther and Manon, which are staples of French opera. His compositions have been featured in films such as Marathon Man 1976 and Transamerica 2005.
What are Jules Massenet's most famous operas?

Jules Massenet’s most famous operas are Werther and Manon. These works are frequently performed and are considered essential in the French opera repertoire.
Did Jules Massenet win the Prix de Rome?

Yes, Jules Massenet won the Prix de Rome in 1863. This prestigious award funded a residency at the Villa Medici in Rome.
What honors did Jules Massenet receive from the Legion of Honour?

Jules Massenet was honored with the Knight, Officer, Commander, and Grand Officer ranks of the Legion of Honour. These are among France’s highest civil distinctions.
What is the Order of Leopold?

The Order of Leopold is a Belgian national order. Jules Massenet was awarded this honor, recognizing his contributions to music that extended beyond France.
What is the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles?

The Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles is a Monégasque order of merit. Jules Massenet received this high honor, likely for his international reputation.
Which films feature music composed by Jules Massenet?

Jules Massenet’s music has been used in several films, including Marathon Man 1976, Tau 2018, and Transamerica 2005.
What is the Villa Medici and how is it related to Massenet?

The Villa Medici in Rome is a historic building that houses the French Academy. Jules Massenet resided there as a winner of the Prix de Rome, allowing him to study in Italy.
How many children did Jules Massenet have?

Jules Massenet had one child, a daughter named Juliette Massenet.
What is Jules Massenet's full name?

Jules Massenet’s full name is Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet. He was born May 12, 1842, in Saint-Etienne, France.
When did Jules Massenet receive the Prix de Rome?

Jules Massenet received the Prix de Rome in 1863. This award was a major turning point in his early career. It allowed him to study at the Villa Medici in Rome.
What film from 1976 uses Massenet's music?

The 1976 film Marathon Man features music by Jules Massenet. This thriller starring Dustin Hoffman brought Massenet’s compositions to a popular audience.
What is the connection between Massenet and the film Tau?

The 2018 science fiction film Tau includes music by Jules Massenet.
What is the connection between Massenet and Transamerica?

The 2005 film Transamerica features music by Jules Massenet.

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Audited & updated by

Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

Published on April 20, 2026

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