Francoeur, Louis-Joseph

Francoeur, Louis-Joseph (8 October 1738, Paris; 10 March 1804, Paris), composer, was the son of a violinist at the Opéra and nephew of the superintendent of royal music. When his father died, therefore, his uncle assumed the responsibility of educating him and making certain that he could play the violin. Louis-Joseph entered the Opéra orchestra at age 14, and he was named second music master of the orchestra in 1764. He succeeded Pierre-Montan Berton as first music master in 1767. Raised to…