Henri-Joseph Rigel

Henri -Joseph Rigel ( born February 9, 1741 Wertheim, † May 2, 1799 in Paris) was a German composer, who worked in France.

Life

Rigel received his musical training initially from his father Georg Caspar Rigel (about 1725-1754 ), who was music director at the local court of the Prince of Löwenstein -Wertheim -Rosenberg, as well as by Niccolò Jommelli, who worked at the Württemberg court.

1767 Rigel traveled to Paris and there had respectable success with his instrumental works, harpsichord works, string quartets and symphonies. His compositions have been performed at the Concert Spirituel. In most cases, these were the local customs in accordance with sacred works, such as his oratorio La sortie d' Egypte (1774 ), La destruction de Jéricho ( 1778), Jephté (1783 ) and Les Macchabées. From 1783 he was maitre de solfège (Grade teacher) at the Royal Singing School ( École Royale de Chant ). The reorganization of the institutions after the revolution in 1793 Rigel piano professor first class at the newly founded Conservatoire de Paris.

Between 1788 and 1799 composed 16 operas Rigel, including the comic opera Le savetier et le Financier ( 1778). His compositions show the influence of Gluck. Even as a music teacher to Rigel made ​​a name.

His extensive compositional activities, he published self-publishing with the help of his wife, who was Notenstecherin, and in 1780 with his brother, the composer Anton Rigel. After the publication of his works in Paris these were later printed in Mannheim, Offenbach and Vienna with different opus numbers.

His sons Louis Rigel (1769-1811) and Henri -Jean Rigel (1772-1852) were also composers.