Augustin-Eugène Scribe

Eugène Scribe (1791–1861) was a French playwright and librettist. He wrote nearly 400 plays and became known for his skillfully constructed "well-made plays," dominating the Parisian stage for more than thirty years. His works are notable for their careful plotting and stagecraft, and they exerted a lasting influence on popular drama. He also wrote numerous opera librettos for composers such as Auber, Meyerbeer, and Verdi; his representative works include La Muette de Portici and Le Comte Ory. He was elected to the Académie française in 1834. Five of his works are held in this collection, including Bataille de dames and Carlos Broschi, spanning opera librettos and comedies. Public information on his detailed life is limited.