Jean-Philippe Rameau

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764) – French composer, harpsichordist and organist. Author of the important work Traité d’harmonie (pub. 1722), containing his original thoughts on the principles of harmony and composition. He wrote music for harpsichord, but is best known today as a composer of operas; he turned to that genre in 1733 and during the second half of his life wrote more than twenty operas and ballets.