Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

December 4, 1660 in Aix-en-Provence, France

Death

:

June 29, 1744 in Versailles, France

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

André Campra was a French composer of the Baroque era, born on December 4, 1660, in Aix-en-Provence, France. He was the son of a musician, and his father taught him to play the violin and harpsichord. Campra showed an early talent for music, and by the age of 16, he was already working as a musician in the cathedral of his hometown. Campra's musical education continued in Toulouse, where he studied with the composer Jean-Baptiste Moreau. In 1681, he moved to Paris, where he became a member of the orchestra of the Paris Opera. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented composer, and in 1694, he was appointed as the director of music at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Campra's early works were mainly instrumental pieces, but he soon turned his attention to vocal music. His first opera, L'Europe galante, was performed in 1697 and was a great success. This was followed by a series of operas, including Hésione (1700), Tancrède (1702), and Idoménée (1712), which established Campra as one of the leading composers of his time. Campra's music was characterized by its elegance, grace, and lyricism. He was a master of melody and harmony, and his works were noted for their expressive power and emotional depth. His operas were particularly popular, and he was known for his ability to create memorable characters and dramatic situations. In addition to his operas, Campra also composed a number of sacred works, including motets, cantatas, and oratorios. His most famous sacred work is his Requiem, which was composed in 1695 and is considered one of the greatest works of its kind. Campra's career was not without controversy, however. In 1700, he was accused of plagiarism by the composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, who claimed that Campra had stolen one of his melodies. The dispute was eventually settled, but it damaged Campra's reputation and led to a period of relative obscurity. Despite this setback, Campra continued to compose and remained a respected figure in the musical world. He died on June 29, 1744, in Versailles, France, at the age of 83. Today, Campra is remembered as one of the most important composers of the Baroque era. His works continue to be performed and recorded, and his influence can be heard in the music of later composers such as Handel and Mozart. His legacy is a testament to his talent and his contribution to the development of classical music.

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