the director of the orchestra of the Opéra, a post which he held until 1718. From 1717 to 1737 he directed the Nouveau Théâtre Italien for which he composed divertissements that accompanied, for example, the tender comedies of Marivaux, and which, printed, fill six volumes. At court Mouret maintained a post as singer, and directed the grand divertissements offered by the Regent, the duc d'Orléans at his château of Villers-Cotterêts on the occasion of Louis XV's coming-of-age in 1722. Concurrently, he was director of the concert series established by the orchestra of the Opéra, the Concerts Spirituel (1728–1734), positions which provided a public outlet for his own music and which permitted him to live in affluence. Mouret married Madeleine Prompt de Saint-Marc in Versailles on October 23, 1711, and had one daughter, Françoise Louise, born in Paris on October 21, 1722, However, his later years were overshadowed by financial and social disappointments. Sinking into poverty, Mouret died in the Asile de Charenton in 1738. The location of his grave is unknown. Works Mouret composed mainly for the stage. He contributed to the emergence of the distinctively French genres of lyric tragedy and opera-ballet but his jealousy of the rising star of Jean-Philippe Rameau led to the bitterness and madness in which he ended his days: , Joseph de La Font's opera-ballet for the Paris Opéra, (1714) for Sceaux, (1714) (1742 version: Les amours de Ragonde) (1717) Paris Opéra, (1723) Paris Opéra, (1727) (1732) (1733) Paris Opéra (1741). Mouret also wrote airs, divertissements, cantatilles, motets, and instrumental works (sonatas, fanfares). Among his other compositions, the two [[Suite of Symphonies for brass, strings and timpani No. 1|Suites de symphonies (1729)]] deserve special mention. The first suite, renowned for the arrangement of its opening rondeau which serves as the Masterpiece Theatre'' theme, is entitled "Fanfare for trumpets, timpani, violins, and oboes" and dedicated to the son of the Duchess of Maine, the Prince of Dombes. The Concert Spirituel, conducted by Mouret himself, gave the premiere performance of this suite. The second suite, scored for violins, oboes, and horns, was first played at the Hôtel de Ville before King Louis XV. References Sources External links Les amours des dieux - libretto Les amours des dieux - background and synopsis Opera One: List of major operas and opera-ballets Calendrier électronique des spectacles sous l'ancien régime: the "Grandes nuits" of Sceaux 1682 births 1738 deaths French