Philidor, François-André

(real surname Danican-Phili-dor; also Frangois-André Danican). Born Sept. 7, 1726, in Dreux; died Aug. 24, 1795, in London. French composer.

Philidor came from a family that had produced several generations of musicians. One of the creators of the opera comique, he used themes from the lives of artisans, peasants, and soldiers in such works as Blaise le savetier (1759), Le Soldat magicien (1790), Le Maréchal ferrant (1761), Le Jardinier et son seigneur (1761), and Le Sorcier (1764). He also composed opera seria, instrumental pieces, and church music. Philidor was also Europe’s leading chess player in the 18th century, and his work Analyse du jeu d’échecs (1749) initiated the study of chess theory. Philidor’s brother, the composer and flutist Anne Philidor (1681–1728), organized the Concerts Spirituels, the first public concerts in France.