Rodolphe, Jean Joseph

1730-1812

French horn-player and operatic composer; born at Strasburg; studied the horn and violin under his father, and afterward became a violin pupil of Leclair in Paris. After several engagements as first violin in theatres at Bordeaux, Montpellier, and other cities, he entered the service of the Duke of Parma, and while in that place studied under Traetta, and later under Jommelli at Stuttgart, where he produced several ballets heroiques, Medea and Jason, Psyche, The Death of Hercules, and Armide. In 1763 he became a member of Conti's private band, two years afterward principal horn in the orchestra of the Grand Opera, and in 1770 chamber-musician to the court. In 1784 he was called to the professorship of harmony in the Conservatory, but five years later lost both his positions through the changes of the French Revolution. In 1799 he was reappointed professor of solfeggio at the Conservatory, and was pensioned in 1802, at the age of seventytwo. He lived the remaining ten years of his life in Paris. Besides the works mentioned, he produced several operas in Paris, and wrote for the horn two concertos, fanfares for two and three horns respectively; duets and studies for violin; also two theoretical works, one on solfeggio, the other on accompaniment and composition.