Louis Ganne (1862-1923) was a French conductor and composer, best remembered for operetta, light theatre and popular concert music. Born in Buxières-les-Mines, he studied at the Paris Conservatoire and became active in the musical life of Paris.

His stage works include Les saltimbanques, the title represented in the Pristine catalogue, as well as operettas and songs that enjoyed considerable success in their day. He also wrote marches and other light orchestral pieces.

Ganne’s music is tuneful, fluent and theatrical, with the easy charm associated with French popular stage music around 1900. It favours melody, rhythm and immediate character over symphonic argument.

Though his name now sits outside the main operetta pantheon, Ganne was a skilled craftsman of the Parisian stage. His music belongs to the bright machinery of theatre: painted canvas, quick steps and a tune that knows where the footlights are.