Claude Lecomte (directing of the Opera)

See also: Claude Lecomte

Claude Lecomte (death and unknown dates and birthplaces) is a French financier of the 18th century which took part in the direction of the royal Académie of music, twice, between 1730 and 1733.

Before being interested in the Opera, he was sub-lessee of the Aides of the Généralité of Paris. May 19th 1730, it joins Maximilien-Claude Gruer, Abraham Coussard and François the Ox of Vaudahon within a company which must support Gruer, which received the privilege of the Opera. But the relations between associated are tightened very quickly, and, on October 18th, Gruer decides to form a new association with Mogniac and Hennes. Lecomte protests and refuses to yield the rights which it took in the company. It ends however up yielding under the pressure of the Secretary of State of the House of the king.

However, he seeks to disparage Gruer to take again his place. The occasion is found when the director of the Opera is implied in a scandal with singers of the Academy. The king is constrained to withdraw management with Gruer and the privilege is finally allotted on August 18th 1731 to Claude Lecomte, who manages the Opera with François the Ox.

But it is revealed soon that the son of Claude Lecomte, with whom his father had entrusted the responsibility of hold the case, makes irregularities. This time, it is Lecomte which is victim of the scandal. It is however not withdrawn immediately, Louis XV not having approved the count of Saint-Waistcoat and the baron de Frentz, who had stood as a candidates to the recovery.

Finally, the candidature of Eugene de Thuret is accepted on March 22nd 1733 and Lecomte must be withdrawn.

Source

Jean Gourret, These men who made the Opera , 1984, p. 44-46.

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