Baron Frédéric Alfred d’Erlanger was born in Paris in 1868, the son of the German banker Frédéric Emile d’Erlanger and the American Marguerite Mathide Slidell. After his family moved to England in 1870 due to the Franco-Prussian War, Frédéric Alfred initially returned to Paris, but settled permanently in London in 1886 and became a British citizen.[4][5]
As a successful banker and composer, he was heavily involved in London's musical life, serving on the board of trustees of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and on the board of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.[1][3] He is particularly well-known among record collectors for his ballet music "Les Cent Baisers" (The Hundred Kisses). His opera "Jehan de Saintré" premiered in 1893, followed by other works such as a violin sonata and a piano quintet.