| Timeline |
| 1818 |
Born 18 June, in Paris, the son of a painter |
| 1836 |
Enters Paris Conservatory |
| 1839 |
Travels to Italy after winning the Prix de Rome |
| 1842 |
Becomes church organist |
| 1846 |
Studies for the priesthood, but later gives up idea |
| 1851 |
Writes first opera, Sapho |
| 1852 |
Marries Anna Zimmerman. Appointed conductor of the Paris Orphéon choral society |
| 1859 |
Premiere of the first version of Faust not a great success |
| 1869 |
Triumphant production of a new version of Faust |
| 1870 |
At outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, flees to London with family |
| 1871 |
Becomes first conductor of Royal Choral Society |
| 1874 |
Returns to France; composes mainly religious music from now on |
| 1883 |
Faust inaugurates New York Metropolitan Opera House |
| 1893 |
Dies 18 October, while working on Requiem Mass |
