Daniel-François-Esprit Auber was one of the most celebrated composers of French opera during the first half of the XIX Century. Together with his librettist Augustin-Eugène Scribe Auber made a significant contribution to the genre of opéra-comique. Auber's most famous composition, the opera Masaniello or La muette de Portici had a phenomenal success in Paris 1828 and is generally considered the beginning of the French grand opera. Auber was a very prolific composer in almost every genre of music: vocal,  instrumental, sacred and secular. Auber was officially recognized by the state and his works earned him admiration from Rossini and Wagner.