Member of Duplessis family
(fl 1687–98). French harpsichordist and opera director. In October 1687 he signed a three-year contract with the director of the Lyons Opéra to accompany and coach the singers; his annual salary was 700 livres. He was still in Lyons on 4 May 1692 when he witnessed the baptism of dancer Guillaume La Bruyère’s son in the church of Saint Nizier. In ...
Member of Trial family
(b Avignon, Dec 13, 1732; d Paris, June 23, 1771). French violinist, composer, and theatre director. He attracted local attention at an early age for his precocity both as a violinist (at the Concert d’Avignon and later at the Montpellier theatre) and as a composer of violin pieces. He went to Paris for the sole purpose of asking Rameau’s advice, intending to return to the south of France, where he was assured succession to the post of music master for the province of Languedoc. Parisian musical life enticed him, however, and he became first violin at the Opéra-Comique, then second violin and later director of the Prince of Conti’s private orchestra. On 1 April 1767 he was named co-director of the Opéra, with Pierre Berton, theoretically for 30 years. Although their administration achieved successful reorganization of the orchestra and choruses, they were badly received by both critics and public, and in ...
