Massenet, an iconographer and the great-granddaughter of Jules Massenet (1842-1912), presents a biography of the composer based on letters with family, students, colleagues, friends, and other composers, including unpublished letters. She aims to illustrate his dynamic and gregarious public persona and his timid, anxious private personality, as well as his support of his students, difficulties with his wife, work with singers, and reviews of his work and his reactions. She describes his family history, childhood, and education; his military service; performances of his works; his relationship with singer Sybil Sanderson; his teaching; and his final years. The biography was originally published in French as Massenet en toutes lettres in 2001. Annotation ©2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)