Francœur, François (1698–1787)

French violinist and composer. He joined the Paris Opéra orchestra at the age of 15 and there met François Rebel, with whom he worked for the rest of his life. They collaborated on several operas, of which Pyrame et Thisbé (1726) was the first.

He was a pupil of his father, Joseph Francœur, who was a double bass player at the Opéra. In 1720 he published his first violin sonatas, and in 1723 went with Rebel to Prague, Bohemia (Czech Republic), for the coronation of Charles VI. After his return to Paris in 1726 he gradually rose to the highest positions in French music, being appointed composer to the court in 1727, member of the king's band in 1730, inspector of the Opéra in 1743 and director in 1757, and superintendent of the king's music in 1760 (he held the last three jointly with Rebel).

His nephew, Louis Joseph Francœur (1738–1804), was also a violinist and composer and was for a time director of the Opéra.

Works the operas, composed jointly with Rebel, beginning with Pyrame et Thisbé (1726), ballets, violin sonatas, and other pieces.