Martini, Jean Paul Egide (1741–1816)

German organist and composer. He settled in France in 1760 and wrote the first of his 13 operas in 1771. He also wrote the song ‘Plaisir d'amour’.

He adopted the name of Martini on settling in Nancy as a music teacher in 1760. He was in the service of the Duke of Lorraine (the former King Stanislaus of Poland) at Lunéville 1761–64, he then went to Paris, where he wrote military music and produced his first opera in 1771. After three years' absence during the Revolution, he returned to Paris in 1794 to become one of the inspectors of the Conservatory in 1795 and professor of composition in 1800. At the Restoration in 1814 he was appointed superintendent of the court music.

Works Opera L'Amoureux de quinze ans (1771), Le Fermier cru sourd (1772), Le Rendezvous nocturne (1773), Henry IV (1774), Le Droit du Seigneur, L'Amant sylphe (1783), Sapho, Annette et Lubin (1789), Ziméo, and others.

Church music two Masses, two Requiems, Te Deum, psalm settings and other church music.

Other cantata for the marriage of Napoleon and Marie-Louise; chamber music; marches and other pieces for military band; songs including ‘Plaisir d'amour’.