MONTCLAIR, MICHEL (PINOLET) DE

(baptized Dec. 4, 1667, Andelot, Fr.d. Sept. 27, 1737, Saint-Denis, near Paris), principal French composer of operatic and instrumental works in the period between Jean-Baptiste Lully and Jean-Philippe Rameau. Montclair was a chorister at Langres and later entered noble service. Settling in Paris in 1700, he played double bass at the Paris Opra from 1707 to 1737 and was, in fact, one of the earliest players of that instrument in its modern form. His first opera-ballet, Les Ftes de l't, was produced in 1716. His best known opera, or tragdie-lyrique, Jepht (1732), was banned by the Archbishop of Paris because of its biblical subject. It has a grandeur reminiscent of Lully and is known to have influenced Rameau. Other works include Cantates franaises et italiennes (170917), a requiem, chamber music, and songs. Montclair's three theoretical and pedagogic treatises contain valuable information on contemporary ornamentation and performance practices.