Mondonville, Jean Joseph (Cassanea) de (1711–1772)

French violinist and composer. During the Guerre des Bouffons in 1752 he was chosen as the representative of the French National school, opposing the Italians under the patronage of Mme de Pompadour.

His parents were aristocrats in reduced circumstances, but he succeeded in studying the violin. He settled in Paris in 1733, made his name as a violinist and composer, and appeared at the Concert Spirituel in 1737, for which he wrote motets until 1770. In 1744 he became superintendent of the royal chapel and was director of the Concert Spirituel 1755–62.

Works Operas and opera-ballets Isbé (1742), Le Carnaval du Parnasse (1749), Titon et l'Aurore (1753), Daphnis et Alcimaduro (in Provençal, 1754), Les Fêtes de Paphos (1758), Thésée, Psyché (1762), Erigone, Vénus et Adonis, Les Projets de l'Amour.

Oratorio Les Israélites au Mont Oreb (1758), Les Fureurs de Saül (1758), Les Titans.

Other the Privilège du Roi set as a cantata; trio sonatas for two violins or flutes and bass; sonatas including Les Sons harmoniques for violin and bass; sonatas and pieces for harpsichord with violin or voice; harpsichord works including Pièces de clavecin en sonates; organ pieces.