Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

June 8, 1753 in Muret, Haute Garonne

Death

:

November 26, 1809 in Paris, France

Period

:

Classical

 

Nicolas-Marie Dalayrac was a French composer of the Classical period, known for his operas and other vocal works. He was born on June 8, 1753, in Muret, a small town in the south of France. His father was a lawyer, but Dalayrac showed an early interest in music and began studying the violin and piano at a young age. In 1769, Dalayrac moved to Paris to study music more seriously. He studied with several prominent composers of the time, including François-Joseph Gossec and Jean-Philippe Rameau. He also became involved in the Parisian music scene, performing in concerts and composing his own works. Dalayrac's first major success came in 1781 with the premiere of his opera Les deux petits savoyards. The opera was a hit with audiences and critics alike, and it established Dalayrac as a rising star in the world of French opera. Over the next few years, he continued to compose operas and other vocal works, including Le chevalier à la mode (1781), Nina, ou La folle par amour (1786), and L'amant statue (1787). In 1789, Dalayrac was appointed as the director of the Théâtre de Monsieur, a position he held for several years. During this time, he continued to compose operas and other works for the stage, including Les trois sultanes (1791), Camille ou Le souterrain (1791), and Adèle de Ponthieu (1796). Dalayrac's music was known for its lightness and charm, as well as its catchy melodies and elegant harmonies. His operas were particularly popular with audiences, and they often featured comic plots and lively dance music. He also wrote a number of songs and instrumental works, including several string quartets and a set of piano sonatas. Despite his success as a composer, Dalayrac faced financial difficulties throughout his career. He was forced to sell the rights to many of his works in order to make ends meet, and he struggled to maintain his position as a leading composer in the competitive world of French opera. In the early 1800s, Dalayrac's health began to decline, and he was forced to retire from his position at the Théâtre de Monsieur. He continued to compose, however, and his final opera, Les deux billets, was premiered in 1806. Nicolas-Marie Dalayrac died on November 26, 1809, at the age of 56. Despite his financial struggles and the challenges he faced as a composer, he left behind a legacy of charming and elegant music that continues to be enjoyed by audiences today.

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