Music Entrepreneur, Organ Manufacturer. Francois Antoine Charles Marenghi spent his entire life in the 12 arrondisement of Paris, first as an employee of Gavioli and Cie and then, from 1903, on his own account based at the former Gavioli factory at 2bis Avenue de Taillebourg, near the Place de la Nation where he employed 50 workers. He designed a new range of mechanical organs and pianos based on his own designs carefully avoiding the many patents of his well-established competitors, not least the Gavioli firm where he had been chief foreman. From the start his customer base was more international than internal, and examples of his instruments are to be found across Europe and America. Marenghi's instruments were awarded many prizes and awards, including the Grand Prix at the Brussells Universal Exhibition in 1910. His organs were associated with both indoor and outdoor places of entertainment, British fairgrounds and in celebrated Continental venues such as the Jardin de Paris and the Alcazar dance hall, Antwerp. His declining health, which coincided with the First World War, forced Marenghi to take a less active part in the business, which was eventually taken over by his trusted employees Paul and Pierre Gaudin; they continued to trade as Gaudin Freres - Charles Marenghi and Cie Successors after his death. His instruments continue to be admired the world over for their quality and high standard of performance, and he made a vital contribution to the development of the fairground-type of organ. Marenghi died, unmarried, aged 61 in the Rothschild Hospital, Paris. He was buried in a grave purchased by his younger brother (who paid for it to be made perpetual in 1934). The headstone reads simply "Famille Marenghi" but no other members of his family were buried with him.
Music Entrepreneur, Organ Manufacturer. Francois Antoine Charles Marenghi spent his entire life in the 12 arrondisement of Paris, first as an employee of Gavioli and Cie and then, from 1903, on his own account based at the former Gavioli factory at 2bis Avenue de Taillebourg, near the Place de la Nation where he employed 50 workers. He designed a new range of mechanical organs and pianos based on his own designs carefully avoiding the many patents of his well-established competitors, not least the Gavioli firm where he had been chief foreman. From the start his customer base was more international than internal, and examples of his instruments are to be found across Europe and America. Marenghi's instruments were awarded many prizes and awards, including the Grand Prix at the Brussells Universal Exhibition in 1910. His organs were associated with both indoor and outdoor places of entertainment, British fairgrounds and in celebrated Continental venues such as the Jardin de Paris and the Alcazar dance hall, Antwerp. His declining health, which coincided with the First World War, forced Marenghi to take a less active part in the business, which was eventually taken over by his trusted employees Paul and Pierre Gaudin; they continued to trade as Gaudin Freres - Charles Marenghi and Cie Successors after his death. His instruments continue to be admired the world over for their quality and high standard of performance, and he made a vital contribution to the development of the fairground-type of organ. Marenghi died, unmarried, aged 61 in the Rothschild Hospital, Paris. He was buried in a grave purchased by his younger brother (who paid for it to be made perpetual in 1934). The headstone reads simply "Famille Marenghi" but no other members of his family were buried with him.
Bio by: Jory Bennett
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Famille Marenghi
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