Chevalier d’Herbain

The chevalier d'Herbain, whose complete name was Jean-Louis Cuchot d'Herbain, was an 18th-century French baroque composer born in Strasbourg on 10 April 1720 and died in Paris on 28 May 1768.

Short biography

Destined to the military career, the Chevalier d'Herbain was a Captain in the régiment de Tournaisis. While he was stationed in Italy, he began to compose operas: Il geloso (Rome, 1751), Il trionfo del Giglio (Bastia, 1751) and La Lavinia (Bastia, 1753).

Back in Paris, he composed the music for the ballet Célime (1756) and the opéras comiques Les Deux Talents (1763 on a libretto by Jean-François de Bastide) and Nanette et Lucas (1764 on a libretto by Nicolas-Étienne Framery).

Some of his tunes, including many ariettes, experienced lasting success.

Works

• 1751: Il geloso, Intermezzo
• 1751: Il trionfo del Giglio / Le Triomphe du lys, opera
• 1753: La Lavinia, opera
• 1756: Iphis et Célime ou Le Temple de l'Indifférence détruit pas l'Amour, opera-ballet
• 1763: Les Deux Talents, opéra comique
• 1764: Nanette et Lucas ou La Paysanne curieuse, Comedy, prose with ariettes