Charlotte Tardieu

Marie Charlotte Elisabeth d'Arpentigny de Malleville Tardieu (9 September 1829 – May 1890) was a French composer, concert pianist, and teacher who organized chamber recitals throughout Europe. She composed and performed under the names Charlotte de Malleville or Charlotte Tardieu.

Early life and career Tardieu was born in Roncherolles (today Roncherolles sur le Vivier). She studied music in Rouen with Jean-Amédée le Froid de Méreaux. On March 1, 1853, she married Amédée Eugène Tardieu.

Tardieu presented piano recitals throughout Europe, and performed as the soloist in piano concerti by Mozart and Beethoven. She appeared with other musicians such as flutist Vincent Dorus, clarinetist Adolphe Leroy, the Maurin Chevillard string quartet, Jean Méreaux, Camille Saint-Saëns, violinist Pablo de Sarasate, oboist Charles Louis Triebert, cellist Olive Charlier Vaslin, and oboist Louis Verroust. Well-known for her interpretation of Mozart, Tardieu specialized in older music and rarely performing music by contemporary composers other than herself. In 1864, she formed a trio with cellist Alfredo Piatti and violinist Camille Sivori. Georges Onslow dedicated his Septet for Piano and Wind Instruments, Op. 79 to her. She formed at least one class to study classical piano repertoire with performers Casimir, Dorus, Gouffe, Lebouc, Maurin, and Ney. Her compositions, all for piano, included:

Berceuse, opus 7 Carillon, opus 6 First Prelude, opus 4 Grande Valse Brillante, opus 3 Second Prelude, opus 5 Souvenirs de Trye-Château (Polka-March)