Known as Philidor l‘aîné (the elder), André Danican Philidor was the son of Jean Danican, an oboist and crumhorn player in the French royal grande écurie. Jean acquired the name Philidor when Louis XIII compared his playing to that of the Italian oboist Filidori. André followed his uncle (or grandfather, the relationship is uncertain) as a player of the crumhorn and trumpet marine in the grande écurie in 1659, playing other wind instruments in the royal chapel and enjoying royal favour. As royal music librarian he assembled a significant collection of French music, much of which is preserved in various libraries.
Stage Works
Philidor’s contribution to the repertoire of French opéra-ballets dates from 1687, the year in which Lully, a dominant figure in French music, died.
