André Campra occupied a leading position in French music of the early 18th century. After an earlier career in Toulon and Toulouse, he moved to Paris, where he became maître de musique at Notre Dame and finally won distinction in the opera house, composing for the Académie Royale de Musique and employed also by the royal chapel.

Stage Works

Campra’s first success in the theatre came in 1697 with L’Europe galante, an opéra-ballet with entrées for France, Spain, Italy and Turkey. He continued to write opéra-ballets and tragédies lyriques, generally to be staged at the Paris Opéra.

Church Music

Campra wrote a number of motets and, in 1722, a setting of the Requiem Mass.