Jules Barbier

Jules Barbier was a French poet and playwright born in 1825, best known for his collaborations with composer Charles Gounod. Together, they adapted various plays into operas, most famously creating the beloved opera "Faust," based on Goethe’s literary work. Barbier’s skill lay in transforming dramatic stories into compelling librettos—scripts for opera—combining poetic language with theatrical storytelling. His work contributed significantly to the development of French opera in the 19th century, blending literary artistry with musical composition.