Jean-Joseph de Mondonville

Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville (baptized December 25, 1711 – October 8, 1772) was a French Baroque violinist, composer, and conductor from Narbonne. Mondonville moved to Paris in 1733, serving as a teacher to Madame de Pompadour and a violinist for the Concert Spirituel. His initial publication was Sonates pour violon op. 1 (1733). He became a violinist for the Royal Chapel and was appointed intendant of the Capilla Real in 1744. In 1755, Mondonville assumed the directorship of the Concert Spirituel. Mondonville composed 17 grands motets, including “Venite exultemus Domino” (1740) and “De profundis” (1748). His operatic works included Le carnaval de Parnasse (1749) and Daphnis et Alcimadure (1754). The premiere of his opera Titon et l'Aurore (1753) was a central event in the Querelle des Bouffons controversy. His later work included the opera Thésée (1765). Mondonville died in Belleville.