French composer (1751-1796). After studying at the Périgueux cathedral choir school he travelled through France and Europe. He completed his training in Prussia and obtained a post at the court in Warsaw where his first opera Le bouquet de Colette was performed in 1775. He returned to Paris where he composed several operas, initially inspired by Gluck then Piccini and served at the court of Louis XVI. He became a favourite with the public thanks mainly to his operas Phèdre and Nephté, but also towards the end of his career because of his revolutionary songs.
