Frédéric Bérat


Frédéric Bérat
(Rouen 1801 - Paris 1855)
Songwriter

The following is a translation of an article in Communes 76.
The original article in French can be viewed HERE.

Frédéric Bérat was born in Rouen on March 11, 1801.

In 1836, while employed by the gas company, and writing songs on the side, Frédéric Bérat composed, as he was riding on the boat from Rouen to Sainte-Adresse, a song which would make his fortune: Ma Normandie.

Afterwards he dedicated himself to his songcraft and became friends with Béranger, another famous songwriter. He composed, as well, some other songs of note -- Mimi Pinson, le Départ, la Montagnarde, le Retour du petit Savoyard....

He died in Paris on December 2, 1855.