[Gutenberg 27406] • Axel Thordson and Fair Valborg / a ballad

According to Wikipedia: "Ludovic Halévy (1 January 1834 - 7 May 1908) was a French author and playwright. He was of Jewish ancestry, however his father had converted to Christianity prior to his birth... Ludovic Halevy was born in Paris, January 1, 1834. His father was Leon Halevy, the celebrated author; his grandfather, Fromenthal, the eminent composer. Ludovic was destined for the civil service, and, after finishing his studies, entered successively the Department of State (1852); the Algerian Department (1858), and later on became editorial secretary of the Corps Legislatif (1860). When his patron, the Duc de Morny, died in 1865, Halevy resigned, giving up a lucrative position for the uncertain profession of a playwright: At this period he devoted

himself exclusively to the theatre."