Darius Milhaud, born on September 4, 1892, in Marseille, France, was a prominent and prolific composer of the 20th century. He was a key member of the group known as "Les Six," which included other notable composers such as Arthur Honegger and Francis Poulenc. Milhaud's diverse body of work spans various genres and styles, reflecting his openness to different musical influences and his innovative spirit.
Milhaud was born into a Jewish family in Provence, a region known for its rich cultural heritage. He showed musical talent at a young age and began studying violin at the age of seven. By the time he was twelve, he had started composing. He went on to study at the Paris Conservatory, where he was influenced by his teachers, including Paul Dukas and Charles Widor. His time at the Conservatory was instrumental in shaping his compositional style and broadening his musical horizons.