Born in Paris, Dec 15, 1657
Died in Versailles, June 18, 1726
- Michel-Richard Delalande is among the most well-known French Baroque composers from the generation after Jean-Baptiste-Lully. Delalande was a contemporary of François Couperin.
- Like Lully before him, Delalande served in the court of Louis XIV (and later Louis XV) at Versailles.
- Fun fact – As a teenager, Delalande was briefly pursuing a career as a violinist and auditioned for Lully’s opera orchestra. He didn’t get the gig. Following this “failure,” Delalande turned his attention to organ and sacred music, for which he would eventually become famous.
- In 1683, when the composer was in his mid-20s, Delalande won an organ competition at Versailles, awarding him the position at the Chapel Royal. Delalande gradually worked his way up in the court (even taking over Lully’s former position), resulting in a prosperous musical career.
- As a composer, Delalande is best remembered for his expansive collection of grand motets, which were amply used for services at the royal chapel. Delalande also wrote opera, ballet music, and instrumental works.1
Learn More
Short biography from The Kennedy Center
Short biography from Naxos
Sources
- James R. Anthony and Lionel Sawkins, “Lalande [La Lande, Delalande], Michel-Richard de,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed November 27, 2023, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000015860.