Léo Delibes, born 1836, Saint-Germain-du-Val, France, was one the first to write music of a high quality for ballet. His pioneering symphonic work opened up a field for serious composers and his influence can be traced in the work of others. 

Delibes studied at the Paris Conservatoire and in 1853 became accompanist at the Théâtre-Lyrique. He became accompanist at the Paris Opéra in 1863, professor of composition at the Conservatoire in 1881 and a member of the French Institute in 1884. 

He collaborated with Ludwig Minkus in the ballet La Source, and its success led to commissions to write his large-scale ballets, Coppélia and Sylvia. His opera works include Le Roi l’a dit, Jean de Nivelle and Lakmé, his masterpiece.