French composer of operas and ballets, best known today for his ballets "Giselle" (1841) and "Le Corsaire" (1856, his last work), his operas "Le postillon de Lonjumeau" (1836), "Le Toreador" (1849) and "Si j'etais Roi" (1852). Adam was also music critic and a noted teacher, who taught Leo Delibes and other influential composers.