BENOIT Peter (B-59)

Flemish composer of Belgian nationality. Benoit passionately pursued the founding of an entirely separate Flemish musical school, and to that purpose even changed his name from the French "Pierre" to the Dutch equivalent "Peter". Benoit's most important compositions include the Flemish oratorios De Schelde (The river Scheldt) and Lucifer (which met complete failure when it was staged in London in 1888), the operas Het Dorp in 't Gebergte (The village in the mountains) and Isa, and the Drama Christi, a huge body of songs, choruses, small cantatas and motets. Benoit also wrote a great number of essays on musical matters