French composer, Gustave Charpentier (1860-1956) is best known for his Opera, Louise. Having premiered in 1900, the Opera remains performed to this day.

Louise depicts Parisian working-class life, telling the story between a young seamstress, Louise, and an artist, Julien. Having undertaken composition lessons from Jules Massenet at the Paris Conservatoire, Charpentier's career took off immediately. The Opera Louise was successful from the first performance and was made into a film in 1939. For all Opera fans, Charpentier's Louise is an essential contribution to the genre.