[‘Francoeur neveu’] (b Paris, Oct 8, 1738; d Paris, March 10, 1804). French composer and opera administrator, nephew of François Francoeur. From 1745 he was brought up by his uncle. Between 1746 and 1752 he was a page of the Musique de la Chambre, leaving that post to join the Opéra orchestra. In 1754 he bought Luc Marchand’s succession to the position of joueur de luth de la chambre (which does not necessarily imply that he played this instrument). In 1764 he was raised to assistant maître de musique of the Opéra orchestra, and he was first maître from 1767 until 1779, when he became director of the orchestra. La Borde praised Francoeur for his reorganization of the Opéra administration and the high standards of performance under his leadership. In 1781 he retired from the Opéra but was re-engaged by 1787 when he was again mentioned as assistant director of the governing committee. The disorders of the French Revolution, however, dealt a heavy blow to Francoeur’s career. In ...