Ernest Eugène Altès

At age 12, Altès wrote an air with variations for violin and piano, which was shown to François Habeneck, and procured his entrance into the Paris Conservatory.

From 1845 onwards he played in the Paris Opera band, and in 1846 was admitted to the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire.

In 1871 Altès was appointed deputy conductor at the Opera in place of Édouard Deldevez, who had just given up his post after twelve years' work.

In 1877 Deldevez was succeeded at the opera by Charles Lamoureux, who being unable to agree with the new director, Auguste Vaucorbeil, retired at the end of 1879.

On July 1, 1887, M. Altès, having, against his wish, been placed on the retired list, was rather roughly discharged by the directors of the Opera, and replaced by Auguste Vianesi.