A music theorist, historian and composer, he was professor and librarian at the Paris Conservatoire, then director of the Brussels Conservatoire. He wrote two theoretical works and numerous biographies of musicians. He composed symphonies, operas, piano music, chamber music and some religious music.Autograph letter signed Paris, 04.07.1867: "...MMlles Cavoet et Drevet (...) elles sont très bonnes musiciennes, et leur exécution m'a paru fort satisfaisante …”.