Guillaume Guidé (1859–1917), Der Ysaÿe der Oboe

The Belgian oboist Guillaume Guidé (1859-1917) started his career as principal oboe of the ‘Association Artistique’ in Angers, France, where he became acquainted with a number of young French composers including Massenet, Chabrier, Saint-Saëns, and Vincent d’Indy. In 1884 he became the oboe teacher at the Brussels Conservatoire, and principal oboe of the Monnaie opera house. Much admired by conductors and composers such as Felix Mottl, Hans Richter, and Richard Strauss – who called him “the poet of the oboe” – Guidé’s reputation was renowned throughout Europe. Considered the godfather of the Belgian oboe school, he indirectly influenced the English and American oboe schools. Also gifted as a conductor and concert organizer, Guidé became co-director, together with Maurice Kufferath, of the Monnaie opera house in 1900. Under this directorate many French and Belgian operas were premiered, while the existing Wagner tradition was continued.