Stuck, Jean–Baptiste

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Stuck, Jean–Baptiste

Stuck, Jean-Baptiste, distinguished Italian-born French cellist and composer of German descent; b. probably in Livorno, 1680; d. Paris, Dec. 8, 1755. He began his career as a cellist in Italy, then went to France in the service of the Prince of Carignam. He was in the service of Elector Max Emanuel of Bavaria about 1714. Returning to France, he was ordinaire de la musique du Roy until being pensioned in 1748; also appeared at the Concert Spirituel. In 1733 he became a naturalized French citizen. He won great renown as a cellist; was also a notable composer of cantatas, of which he publ. 4 books (1706, 1708, 1711, 1714). His other works include 3 insignificant operas, Méléagre (Paris, May 24, 1709), Manto la fée (1709; Paris, Jan. 29, 1711), and Polidore (Paris, Feb. 15, 1720), ballets for the Versailles court, and airs in contemporary collections.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire