Pierre Alexandre Monsigny

Born Oct. 17, 1729, in Fauquembergues, near the city of Saint-Omer; died Jan. 14, 1817, in Paris. French composer. Member of the Institut de France (1813).

Monsigny, with F. A. Philidor and E. Duni, developed the French comic opera, departing from the traditions of the opera theater, with its conventions. His works verge on the sentimental. Among his best operas are Le Déserteur (1769) and Félix, on l’Enfant trouvé (1777), which are touching domestic dramas. Other operas include Le Cadi dupé (1761), Aline, reine de Golconde (1766), and La Belle Arsène (1773).