Saint-Amans, Louis Joseph

1749-1820

French dramatic composer; born at Marseilles. He was intended for the bar, but joined a company of players going to Italy; becoming, after his tour with them, a successful composer and producer of comic operas. He was conductor of the Opera at Brussels from 1778 to 1779; returned to Paris, and in 1784 received the appointment of professor of the Royal School of Music, from which sprang the present Paris Conservatory. When the staff of instructors at this institution was reduced in 1802 Saint-Amans was dismissed, and settled at Brest, writing during his last years principally oratorios; cantatas; chambermusic; and compositions for the church. He composed about twentyfour operas and many ballets. Among his operas was Oroes, a tragic opera; and an operatic ballet, Foret Enchantee. An oratorio, David et Goliath, was performed in 1777 with success. In 1802 he published an elementary work on harmony.