Jean-Louis Cuchot d'Herbain (Chevalier d'Herbain; 10 April 1720 – 28 May 1768) was an 18th-century French baroque composer with a professional career in the military.

Jean-Louis Cuchot d'Herbain
Born(1720-04-10)April 10, 1720
Strasbourg, France
DiedMay 28, 1768(1768-05-28) (aged 48)
Paris, France
NationalityFrench
Occupation(s)Baroque composer, Military captain
Known forComposing operas and music
Notable workIl geloso, Il trionfo del Giglio, Les Deux talents, and others

Short biography edit

Born in Strasbourg,[1] d'Herbain was destined to a military career, and became a captain in the regiment of Tournaisis. While he was stationed in Italy, he began to compose operas: Il geloso (Rome, 1751), Il trionfo del Giglio (Bastia, 1751) and La Lavinia (Bastia, 1753).

Back in Paris, he composed the music for the ballet Célime (1756) and the opéras comiques Les Deux talents (1763, on a libretto by Jean-François de Bastide) and Nanette et Lucas (1764, on a libretto by Nicolas-Étienne Framery). Some of his vocal works, including many ariettes, enjoyed lasting success.

He died in Paris aged 48.[2]

Works edit

  • 1751: Il geloso, intermezzo
  • 1751: Il trionfo del Giglio / Le Triomphe du lys, opera
  • 1753: La Lavinia, opera
  • 1756: Iphis et Célime, ou Le Temple de l'indifférence détruit pas l'amour, opera-ballet
  • 1763: Les Deux talents, opéra comique
  • 1764: Nanette et Lucas, ou La Paysanne curieuse, comedy, prose with ariettes

References edit

  1. ^ Parish registers of St. Louis of Strasbourg, Baptisms B, p. 285: Joannes Ludovicus d'Herbain, baptised on 11 April.
  2. ^ Roger Firino: "Denis de Warel de Beauvoir", in Bulletin de la Société archéologique, historique et scientifique de Soissons, vol. 15 (1908), 2nd part, p. 89 (Warel de Beauvoir had married the Chevalier d'Herbain's sister). His probate inventory, dated 13 June 1768, is kept in the Archives nationales, Paris, in the Minutier central des Notaires.

External links edit