Gabriel Fauré was a French composer, organist, pianist, and teacher. Fauré’s musical abilities became apparent at an early age. He studied piano with Camille Saint-Saëns, who introduced him to the music of Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner. He was appointed church organist at the church of La Madeleine in Paris and professor of composition at the Paris Conservatory and later as director of the Conservatory, remaining in office until ill health and deafness forced him to resign in 1920. Fauré excelled not only as a songwriter of great refinement and sensitivity but also as a composer in every branch of chamber music. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers.