Pierre Jean Baptiste Choudard Desforges
Encyclopedia
Pierre-Jean-Baptiste Choudard-Desforges (15 September 1746 – 13 August 1806) was a French
dramatist and man of letters.
He was born in Paris
, the natural son of Dr. Antoine Petit. He was educated at the College Mazarin and the College de Beauvais and, in accordance with his father's wishes, began the study of medicine. Dr. Petit's death left him dependent on his own resources, and after appearing on the stage of the Comédie-Italienne
in Paris he joined a troupe of wandering actors, whom he served in the capacity of playwright. He married an actress, and the two spent three years in Saint Petersburg
, where they were well received.
In 1782 he produced at the Comédie Italienne an adaptation of Henry Fielding
's novel with the title Tom Jones a Londres. His first great success was achieved with L'Epreuve villageoise (1785) to the music of André Grétry. La Femme jalouse, a five-act comedy
in verse (1785), Joconde (1790) for the music of Louis Jaden, Les Epoux divorces (1799), a comedy, and other pieces followed. Desforges was one of the first to avail himself of the new facilities afforded under the Revolution
for divorce and re-marriage. The curious record of his own early indiscretions in Le Poète, ou Mémoires d'un Homme de Letters, Écrits par Lui-Même (4 vols., 1798) is said to have been undertaken at the request of Madame Desforges. Another work of his that deserves mention is Le Sourd ou L'Auberge pleine.
He died in Paris in 1806.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
dramatist and man of letters.
He was born in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, the natural son of Dr. Antoine Petit. He was educated at the College Mazarin and the College de Beauvais and, in accordance with his father's wishes, began the study of medicine. Dr. Petit's death left him dependent on his own resources, and after appearing on the stage of the Comédie-Italienne
Comédie-Italienne
Over time, there have been several buildings and several theatrical companies named the "Théâtre-Italien" or the "Comédie-Italienne" in Paris. Following the times, the theatre has shown both plays and operas...
in Paris he joined a troupe of wandering actors, whom he served in the capacity of playwright. He married an actress, and the two spent three years in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
, where they were well received.
In 1782 he produced at the Comédie Italienne an adaptation of Henry Fielding
Henry Fielding
Henry Fielding was an English novelist and dramatist known for his rich earthy humour and satirical prowess, and as the author of the novel Tom Jones....
's novel with the title Tom Jones a Londres. His first great success was achieved with L'Epreuve villageoise (1785) to the music of André Grétry. La Femme jalouse, a five-act comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
in verse (1785), Joconde (1790) for the music of Louis Jaden, Les Epoux divorces (1799), a comedy, and other pieces followed. Desforges was one of the first to avail himself of the new facilities afforded under the Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
for divorce and re-marriage. The curious record of his own early indiscretions in Le Poète, ou Mémoires d'un Homme de Letters, Écrits par Lui-Même (4 vols., 1798) is said to have been undertaken at the request of Madame Desforges. Another work of his that deserves mention is Le Sourd ou L'Auberge pleine.
He died in Paris in 1806.