(Achille) Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. He is sometimes referred to as the first Impressionist composer, although he did not approve of the term. He is considered to be among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In his early life, Debussy showed enough musical talent to be admitted to France's leading music college, the Conservatoire de Paris, at the age of ten. While originally studying the piano, he found his calling in innovative composition, despite the disapproval of many of the professors at the Conservatoire. It took many years for him to develop his mature style, and was almost 40 when he achieved international fame in 1902 with the only opera he ever completed, Pelléas et Mélisande. Debussy's music was to a great extent a reaction against Wagner and the German musical traditions of the time. He regarded the classical symphony as obsolete and sought an alternative method of writing music in his "symphonic sketches", such as La mer (1903–1905). At the age of 55, Debussy died from cancer at his home in Paris after a composing career of a little more than 30 years.
He is pictured on a variety of stamps and cancels on many countries around the world.
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2018 stamp from Albania and 1940 stamp from France showing Claude Debussy
Stamps from 1967 Togo and 2018 Macedonia also showing Debussy
Postcard featuring Claude Debussy and a 2012 stamp from Mali celebrating his birthday.
These are just a few examples of stamps that have Claude Debussy's image used on postage stamps and postcards. Some other countries not pictured above include Paraguay, Bulgaria, Guinea and Mozambique and other stamp series from Togo, as well as first day covers of those stamps and a special cancel from Japan. He even appears on cinderellas such as this one from the The Federal Republic of Lostisland, which is a global sovereignty and a cultural and social project resembling a new country based on the ideals of freedom and democracy. It is clear that Claude Debussy is extremely influential in the world of music, and his legacy will live on through postage stamps, both in existing countries and even countries like Lostisland, that are not officially considered countries but who's stamps are sought after by collectors. We hope that you learned something new about Claude Debussy and will listen to some of his music to celebrate his birthday today.
cinderella from Lostisland