Son of a political writer and editor of
La Patrie and
Constitutionel, he was born at Paris, and his first musical lessons were from aunts. Leaving the
Lycée Bonaparte at 16, he decided to study to be a painter, entering the studio of
Picot. However, Joncières kept up his musical interest and had a short
opéra comique performed by students of the
Conservatoire de Paris, and was advised to abandon art and take up music. He entered the Conservatoire and followed the classes of Simon Leborne in
fugue and
counterpoint. However, after hearing one of
Richard Wagner's first concerts in the French capital, he had a disagreement with the professors, and in 1860, abandoned his studies to devote himself to composition. His violin concerto was played at the Conservatoire in 1870 by
Jules Danbé, and a
Symphonie romantique at the Concert national in 1873.), penning biting criticisms of earlier opéra comique composers and of
Berlioz. Although Joncières presented his candidature for the
Institut de France he was refused. He died in his native city of Paris. ==Works==