Rebel

Rebel , family of French musicians:

(1) Jean Rebel , singer; b. place and date unknown; d. Versailles, before Feb. 29, 1692. He was a tenor in the private chapel of Louis XIV by 1661, singing there until his death; was also a secular singer at the court. He had 2 children who became prominent musicians:

(2) Anne-Renée Rebel , singer; b. Paris (baptized), Dec. 6, 1663; d. Versailles, May 5, 1722. She began singing at the court when she was about 10, and shortly thereafter took solo roles there. She was held in high esteem by the King.

(3) Jean-Féry Rebel (le père) , violinist, harpsichordist, conductor, and composer; b. Paris (baptized), April 18, 1666; d. there, Jan. 2, 1747. He began playing the violin at an early age, winning the approbation of the King and Lully when he was only 8. He was first violin at the Académie Royale de Musique (1699–1700), then joined the King’s 24 Violons (1705). He gained the right of succession to half of the office of chamber composer to the court (1718), which was held by his brother-in-law, Lalande; was granted the title as well (1726). He also was active at the Académie Royale de Musique in various capacities, being made its maître de musique (1716); conducted at the Concert Spirituel (1734–35). He was held in high regard by his contemporaries.

Works

DRAMATIC : Opera : Ulysse (Paris, Jan. 23, 1703). INSTRUMENTAL : Pièces…divisées par [3] suites de tons for Violin and Basso Continuo (1705); Recueil de 12 sonates à II et III parties for 2 Violins, Bass Viol, and Basso Continuo (1712); (12) Sonates for Violin and Basso Continuo…mellées de plusieurs récits for Bass Viol (1713); also choreographed “symphonies” for the dancers at the Académie Royale de Musique: Caprice for 3 Violins, Cello, and Basso Continuo (1711); La Boutade for 2 Violins, Viol, and Basso Continuo (1712); Les Caractères de la danse, fantaisie for 2 Violins and Basso Continuo (1715); Terpsichore, sonate for Violin, Flute, and Basso Continuo (1720); fantaisie for 5 Flutes, 2 Violins and Basso Continuo (1715); Terps Plaisirs champêtres for 2 Violins and Basso Continuo (1734); Les Élémens, simphonie nouvelle for 2 Violins, 2 Flutes, and Basso Continuo (1737). VOCAL : Songs, chansons, drinking songs, etc.

(4) François Rebel (le fils) , violinist, theorbist, conductor, theater director, and composer, son of the preceding; b. Paris, June 19, 1701; d. there, Nov. 7, 1775. He began music studies at an early age, joined the Orch. of the Académie Royale de Musique at age 13, and gained the right of succession to his father’s position in the King’s 24 Violons when he was 16. He soon became a close associate of François Francoeur, who collaborated with him on several stage Works. He was royal chamber composer (1727–55) and surintendant and maître of the royal chamber music (1733–75), and inspecteur général (1743–53) and co-director (with Francoeur; 1757–67) of the Académie Royale de Musique, returning as its administrateur général (1772). In all, he wrote 18 stage Works with Francoeur. His other Works include cantatas, motets, and songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

reb·el • n. / ˈrebəl/ a person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler: Tory rebels | [as adj.] rebel forces. ∎  a person who resists authority, control, or convention.• v. / riˈbel/ (-el·led, -el·ling) [intr.] rise in opposition or armed resistance to an established government or ruler: the Earl of Pembroke subsequently rebelled against Henry III. ∎  (of a person) resist authority, control, or convention: respect did not prevent children from rebelling against their parents. ∎  show or feel repugnance for or resistance to something: as I came over the hill my legs rebelled—I could walk no further.

rebel adj. that refuses obedience or allegiance XIII; sb. one who does this XIV. — (O)F. rebelle adj. and sb. — L. rebellis adj. and sb., f. RE- + bellum war.
So rebel vb. XIV. — (O)F. rebeller — L. rebellāre. rebellion XIV. — (O)F. rébellion — L. rebelliō, -ōn-. Hence rebellious XVI (preceded by †rebellous XV). — F. †rebelleux.