Composed: 1773
Premiered: 1773, Paris
Duration: 15 minutes

Members of the Francœur family expertly provided the royal family of France’s musical requirements throughout much of the 18th century. The Francœur whose music you will hear at this concert enjoyed a close and durable creative relationship with François Rebel, son of Jean-Féry Rebel, and succeeded Colin de Blamont as Superintendant of Chamber Music at the royal court (see below). His output consisted almost entirely of theatre music. Despite being long retired, he accepted a commission to provide music for the wedding of the Comte d’Artois (the future King Charles X) and Marie Thérèse Savoy. Consisting of overtures and four suites of attractive dances, it included pieces by other composers as well as his own.

Program note by Don Anderson © 2018