The French composer Bonaventure François Joseph Petit (1811-1901), born in Prades and passed away in Perpignan, received his initial piano and harmony lessons from his father and brother. He later studied in Paris, learning harmony and composition under Jacques Fromental Halévy, and organ under Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wély. In 1894, he was appointed as a professor of harmony and piano at the National School for Music in Perpignan (Roussillon). Even at the age of 83, he was widely regarded as an excellent teacher.

Petit played a significant role in the musical life of the Roussillon region, serving as both an organist and composer. However, his compositions remained largely forgotten for many years. In addition to various operas, 18 masses, symphonic music, piano music, and patriotic songs, he wrote three Stabat Maters: one in 1842, another in 1866, and a third in 1874 (an adaptation of the 1866 Stabat Mater). It was not until 2013-2014 that author and composer Hervé Rémond discovered the scores. Rémond brought these compositions to our attention and conducted performances of Petit’s works. To learn more about Rémond’s Stabat Mater, please visit: https://stabatmater.info/componist/remond/