Andre Cardinal Destouches

André Cardinal Destouches was a French composer of the late Baroque era, active in the early 18th century. Born in Paris around 1672, he became a prominent figure at the Académie Royale de Musique, blending lyrical drama with inventive orchestration. His opera *Issé* (1697) was a hit at the court of Louis XIV, and works like *Sémiramis* (1718) and *Callirhoe* showcased his flair for mythological storytelling and elegant melodic writing. Destouches also collaborated with Michel-Richard Delalande on the ballet *Les Éléments*, a lively depiction of natural forces that reflected the era’s love for grandeur.

Though less remembered today than contemporaries like Rameau, Destouches bridged French Baroque traditions with emerging stylistic shifts. His music often balanced dramatic intensity with refined grace, as heard in excerpts like *Télémaque & Calypso*’s eerie demon choruses. After retiring from composing, he held administrative roles at the Académie until his death in 1749. A key transitional figure, Destouches left a catalog of operas and stage works that charmed audiences during France’s musical golden age.

Genres

Classical

Opera

Baroque

Oratorio

Ballet

Choral Music

Cantata

Latest Release

Destouches: Télémaque & Calypso

Andre Cardinal Destouches•

Les Ombres•

Margaux Blanchard•

Sylvain Sartre

Album - 104 Tracks - Released April 12, 2024