Rameau, Jean-Philippe (25 September 1683, Dijon; 12 September 1764, Paris), composer, was raised in a musical atmosphere in his native city, where his father was the cathedral organist who encouraged his son to learn the violin as well as the mechanics of the organ and harpsichord. After the completion of his academic studies in Dijon, he went to Italy (1701) instead of pursuing the career in law planned for him. Italian opera made no deep impression upon him at this time, and he returned to…