Personalities | François-André Danican Philidor | Classical Era | Classical
(Fran-swa An-dra’ Da-ne-kan Fe-le-dôr’) 1726–95
French composer
Coming from a large family of musicians associated with the French court, Philidor was a pupil of André Campra (1660–1744). He achieved international fame as a chess player and played much in England as well as in France. His main musical contribution came in his opéras comiques; he wrote more than 20, of which the best known is Tom Jones (1765); they show Italian influence in their expressive melody and their well-managed ensembles. Philidor also wrote serious operas, notably Ernelinde, princesse de Norvège (1767), the first French opera with Italian-style arias rather than the traditional airs.
Recommended Recording:
Tom Jones, soloists, Sinfonietta de Lausanne (cond) Jean-Claude Malgoire (Dynamic)
Introduction | Classical Era | Classical
Personalities | Niccolò Piccinni | Classical Era | Classical
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