French composer and organist Gabriel Fauré served as president of the Paris Conservatory from 1905 to 1920. He wrote many operas and songs.

French composer Georges Bizet is best known for the realistic opera Carmen, a work that established itself as the model of opéra comique.

French composer Hector Berlioz followed the ideals of 19th century Romanticism in musical creations such as the Symphonie fantastique and La Damnation de Faust.

French organist Olivier Messiaen created works inspired by Roman Catholic theology. Even when captured in World War II, he continued to compose.

Saint Hildegard was a 12th century religious leader of the Benedictine faith known for her visions and diverse forms of writing.

French composer Erik Satie was lauded as a forerunner of modern music. His music represents the first definite break with 19th-century French Romanticism.

Embracing nontraditional scales and tonal structures, Claude Debussy is one of the most highly regarded composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is seen as the founder of musical impressionism.

British-born French composer Frederick Delius wrote the opera A Village Romeo and Juliet in 1901.