(b Paris, bap.6 April 1672; d there, 7 Feb 1749). French composer. He studied with André Campra. His pastorale-héroïque Issé (1697, Fontainebleau) was an immediate success; he later revised it, and up to 1726 presented ten more stage works (operas, ballets etc). He held posts from 1718 in the court musique de la chambre and at the Académie Royale de Musique, 1713-30.

Destouches stage works show a fine dramatic sense and, like other French music of the day, use harmonies and scorings more adventurous than Lully's, helping to prepare the way for Rameau; the recitatives are notable for their flexibility and their arioso style. His other works include motets, cantatas and many airs.

The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved.