Placide Cappeau (October 25, 1808 – August 8, 1877) was a French poet and t… Read Full Bio ↴Placide Cappeau (October 25, 1808 – August 8, 1877) was a French poet and the author of the well-known poem, "Minuit, chrétiens" (O Holy Night) (1847), which was set to music by Adolphe Adam.
He was born on 25 October 1808 at 8 p.m. in Roquemaure (Gard).
He died on 8 August 1877 in Roquemaure, at the age of 69.
He was the son of Mathieu Cappeau, a cooper, and Agathe Louise Martinet.
From the beginning, he was destined to follow his father in the family business (vinification and cooperage); but after an accident, he turned to the life of an academic. The accident occurred when he was eight years old, while "playing" with his friend Brignon. The young Brignon was handling a gun and shot Cappeau in the hand. This led to the young Cappeau having to undergo an amputation of his hand. Thanks to the financial support from Mr Brignon who supplied half of tuition, Placide Cappeau was able to attend a town school and was accepted into the Collège Royal d’Avignon. While there, in spite of his disability, he was awarded the first prize in drawing in 1825.
After studying in Nîmes, where he received a baccalauréat littéraire (A level in literature), he studied law in Paris and was awarded une licence (a degree) in 1831
Following in his father's footsteps, to an extent, he became a merchant of wines and spirits. However, his focus in life was literature.
According to Placide, he wrote the poem "Minuit Chrétien" (O Holy Night) in a stagecoach to Paris, between Mâcon and Dijon. More likely, this famous Christmas carol was written by Cappeau in the usual way. Despite Adolphe Adam calling his tune "la Marseillaise religieuse" (The religious Marseillaise), Placide Cappeau held socialist, republican and anti-clerical (secular) views. (see French Revolution)
Other writings include Le château de Roquemaure, which was published in 1876, Le roi de la fève, La poésie, Le papillon and La rose.
He was friends with some of the great writers of the Félibrige like Frédéric Mistral, Joseph Roumanille, Alphonse Daudet. He knew Alphonse de Lamartine as well.
He died on 8 August 1877 in Roquemaure, at the age of 69.
Bibliography : Durieu (abbé René), L'auteur du "Minuit chrétiens", Placide Cappeau, Nîmes, Lacour, 1996.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placide_Cappeau
He was born on 25 October 1808 at 8 p.m. in Roquemaure (Gard).
He died on 8 August 1877 in Roquemaure, at the age of 69.
He was the son of Mathieu Cappeau, a cooper, and Agathe Louise Martinet.
From the beginning, he was destined to follow his father in the family business (vinification and cooperage); but after an accident, he turned to the life of an academic. The accident occurred when he was eight years old, while "playing" with his friend Brignon. The young Brignon was handling a gun and shot Cappeau in the hand. This led to the young Cappeau having to undergo an amputation of his hand. Thanks to the financial support from Mr Brignon who supplied half of tuition, Placide Cappeau was able to attend a town school and was accepted into the Collège Royal d’Avignon. While there, in spite of his disability, he was awarded the first prize in drawing in 1825.
After studying in Nîmes, where he received a baccalauréat littéraire (A level in literature), he studied law in Paris and was awarded une licence (a degree) in 1831
Following in his father's footsteps, to an extent, he became a merchant of wines and spirits. However, his focus in life was literature.
According to Placide, he wrote the poem "Minuit Chrétien" (O Holy Night) in a stagecoach to Paris, between Mâcon and Dijon. More likely, this famous Christmas carol was written by Cappeau in the usual way. Despite Adolphe Adam calling his tune "la Marseillaise religieuse" (The religious Marseillaise), Placide Cappeau held socialist, republican and anti-clerical (secular) views. (see French Revolution)
Other writings include Le château de Roquemaure, which was published in 1876, Le roi de la fève, La poésie, Le papillon and La rose.
He was friends with some of the great writers of the Félibrige like Frédéric Mistral, Joseph Roumanille, Alphonse Daudet. He knew Alphonse de Lamartine as well.
He died on 8 August 1877 in Roquemaure, at the age of 69.
Bibliography : Durieu (abbé René), L'auteur du "Minuit chrétiens", Placide Cappeau, Nîmes, Lacour, 1996.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placide_Cappeau
Cantique de Noel
Cappeau de Roquemaure Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Cantique de Noel' by these artists:
Andrea Bocelli Oh, holy night The stars are brightly shining It is the nigh…
Andrea Bocelli (Holiday) Minuit, chretiens, C'est l'heure solennelle Ou l'Homme Die…
Andrea Bocelli Matteo Bocelli & Virginia Bocelli (Holiday) Oh, holy night The stars are brightly shining It is the nigh…
CARRERAS - DOMINGO - PAVAROTTI Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining It is the…
Elīna Garanča Latvian Radio Choir Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken & Karel Mark Chichon Minuit chrétien C′est l'heure solennelle Où l′homme Dieu des…
Friar Alessandro & Coro Qué ilusión Navidad Alegría de vivir Es emoción Agradecer y …
Halle Choir and Orchestra O holy night The stars are brightly shining It is the night…
Joan Baez Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle Où l'Homme-Dieu …
Luciano Pavarotti Minuit, chretiens, C'est l'heure solennelle Ou l'Homme Die…
Mannheim Steamroller O holy night. The stars are brightly shining. It is the nigh…
Plácido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining It is the…
ray bloch & his orchestra O holy night The stars are brightly shining It is the night…
The Priests Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining It is the…
Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra O holy night The stars are brightly shining It is the night…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
History and Headlines
Such a magnificent song! Not just my favorite Christmas song..."Oh Holy Night" is my favorite song whether it's in French or English!
History and Headlines
@Sam Barber You're welcome!
Sam Barber
Thanks so much! It's one of our favourites too, especially April's English translation. Thanks for watching!
Graham Twist
Beautiful. A wonderful Christmas treat: thank you!
Sam Barber
Thanks Graham!
Felipe Gana
I was literally just trawling through youtube looking for a decent original french version with the english translation to post on my advent playlist, thanks for recording guys!
Sam Barber
No way! Thanks for watching, and hope you’re having a great time up with your folks!!
Oldenweery
La bas, "Jingle Bells," c'est une chanson de Noël! Seriously, if I never heard that stupid song again... It doesn't mention Christmas, Jesus, or even _Santa Claus. (BTW, I'm not sure the English words do Cantique de Noël justice; the French seems more reverent.) Joyeaux Noël! Stay safe, tout le Monde.
Sam Barber
Happy Christmas to you too!