Antoine Houdar de la Motte (18 January 167226 December 1731) was a French author. De la Motte was born and died in Paris. In 1693 his comedy, ''Les Originaux'' (Les originaux, ou, l'Italien), was a complete failure, and so depressed the author that he contemplated joining the

Trappists The Trappists, officially known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance ( la, Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae, abbreviated as OCSO) and originally named the Order of Reformed Cistercians of Our Lady of La Trappe, are a ...

. Four years later he began writing texts for operas and ballets, e.g. '' L'Europe galante'' (1697), and tragedies, one of which, ''Inès de Castro'' (1723), was an immense success at the Theâtre Français. He was a champion of the moderns in the revived controversy of the ancients and moderns. His ''Fables nouvelles'' (1719) was regarded as a modernist manifesto.

Anne Dacier Anne Le Fèvre Dacier (1647 – 17 August 1720), better known during her lifetime as Madame Dacier, was a French scholar, translator, commentator and editor of the classics, including the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey''. She sought to champion a ...

had published (1699) a translation of the ''

Iliad The ''Iliad'' (; grc, Ἰλιάς, Iliás, ; "a poem about Ilium") is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the ''Ody ...

'', and La Motte, who knew no

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

, made a translation (1714) in verse founded on her work. He said of his own work: "I have taken the liberty to change what I thought disagreeable in it." He defended the moderns in the ''Discours sur Homère'' prefixed to his translation, and in his ''Réflexions sur la critique'' (1716). Apart from the merits of the controversy, it was conducted on La Motte's side with a wit and politeness which compared very favourably with his opponents' methods. He was elected to the

Académie Française An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membership). The name traces back to Plato's school of philosop ...

in 1710, but soon afterwards went blind. La Motte carried on a correspondence with the duchesse du Maine, and was the friend of Fontenelle. He had the same freedom from prejudice and the same inquiring mind as the latter, and it is on the excellent prose in which his views are expressed that his reputation rests. His ''Œuvres du theâtre'' (2 vols.) appeared in 1730, and his ''Œuvres'' (10 vols.) in 1754. See Hippolyte Rigault, ''Histoire de la querelle des anciens et des modernes'' (1859).

Poetry

*1701: ''Le Premier livre de l'Iliade'', translated into French verse *1707: ''Églogue sur la naissance de Mgr le duc de Bretagne'' * Odes **1707: ''Odes avec un Discours sur la poésie en général, et sur l'ode en particulier'', (several latter editions) **1712: ''Le Deuil de la France'', ode **1712: ''Le Souverain'', ode **1716: ''Ode sur la mort de Louis le Grand'', ode **1720: ''La critique'', ode * Fables **1714: ''Le Cygne'', fable allegorique **1719:
Fables nouvelles
', Paris, (several latter editions) **1720: ''L'Indien et le soleil''

Critics

*1714:
Discours sur Homère
' *1715:
Réflexions sur la critique
', Paris, G. Du Puis *1719:
Discours sur la fable
', Paris, Grégoire Dupuis *1754:
Discours sur la poésie
', Paris, Prault l'aîné *1754:
Discours sur la tragédie
', Paris, Prault l'aîné *1730: ''Suite des Réflexions sur la tragédie''

Theatre

*1693: ''Les Originaux ou l'Italien'', three-act comedy, music by M. de Masse, presented at théâtre de l'Hôtel de Bourgogne, 13 August *1697:
Issé
', pastorale héroïque in 3 acts with prologue, présented at

Château de Fontainebleau Palace of Fontainebleau (; ) or Château de Fontainebleau, located southeast of the center of Paris, in the commune of Fontainebleau, is one of the largest French royal châteaux. The medieval castle and subsequent palace served as a residence ...

7 October *1697: '' L'Europe galante'', opéra-ballet in 4 acts and a prologue, music by

André Campra André Campra (; baptized 4 December 1660 – 29 June 1744) was a French composer and conductor of the Baroque era. The leading French opera composer in the period between Jean-Baptiste Lully and Jean-Philippe Rameau, Campra wrote several '' tr ...

, given at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 24 October *1699: '' Amadis de Grèce'', tragédie lyrique in 5 acts and a prologue, music by André Cardinal Destouches, given 25 March (Académie royale de musique) *1699: '' Marthésie, première reine des Amazones'', tragédie lyrique in 5 acts and one prologue, music by André Cardinal Destouches, presented at Château de Fontainebleau 11 October *1700:
Le Triomphe des arts
', opéra-ballet in 5 acts, music by Michel de La Barre, presented at théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 16 May *1700:
Canente
', tragédie lyrique in 5 acts and one prologue, music by

Pascal Collasse Pascal Collasse (or Colasse) (22 January 1649 (baptised) – 17 July 1709) was a French composer of the Baroque era. Born in Rheims, Collasse became a disciple of Jean-Baptiste Lully during the latter's domination of the French operatic stage. ...

and

Antoine Dauvergne Antoine Dauvergne (3 October 1713 – 11 February 1797) was a French composer and violinist. Dauvergne was born in Moulins, Allier. He served as master of the ''Chambre du roi'', director of the Concert Spirituel from 1762 to 1771, and dir ...

, presented at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 4 November *1701: ''Les Trois Gascons'', comédie avec divertissements in 1 act, with Nicolas Boindin, music by

Giuseppe Maria Cambini Giuseppe Maria Gioacchino Cambini (Livorno, 13 February? 1746Netherlands? 1810s? or Paris? 1825?) was an Italian composer and violinist. Life Unconfirmed information Information about his life is scarcely traceable. Louis-Gabriel Michaud,Louis-Gab ...

and

Nicolas Racot de Grandval Nicolas Racot de Grandval (1676 – 16 November 1753) was a French composer, harpsichordist and playwright. He was born and died in Paris and was also named „Le Père Grandval“. Although a respectable musician, at one time organist at St Eusta ...

, dit ''Grandval le Père'', presented at

Comédie-Française The Comédie-Française () or Théâtre-Français () is one of the few state theatres in France. Founded in 1680, it is the oldest active theatre company in the world. Established as a French state-controlled entity in 1995, it is the only state ...

4 June *1701: ''Omphale'', tragédie lyrique in 5 acts and one prologue, music by André Cardinal Destouches, presented at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 10 November *1702: ''La Matrone d'Éphèse'', comedy in 1 act and in prose, presented at Comédie-Française 23 September *1703: ''Le Carnaval et la folie'', comédie-ballet in 4 acts and one prologue, music by André Cardinal Destouches, presented at Château de Fontainebleau 3 January *1704: ''Le Port de mer'', comedy in 1 act and in prose, with Nicolas Boindin, music by

, called ''Grandval le Père'', presented at Comédie-Française 27 May *1705:
La Vénitienne
', opéra-ballet in one prologue and 3 acts, music by Michel de La Barre, presented at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 26 May; reset on music by

, Académie royale de musique, 6 May 1768 *1709: ''Sémélé'', tragédie lyrique in 5 acts, music by Marin Marais, presented at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 9 April *1715: ''La Ceinture de Vénus'', tableau dramatique, music by

Jean-Joseph Mouret Jean-Joseph Mouret (11 April 1682 in Avignon – 22 December 1738 in Charenton-le-Pont) was a French composer whose dramatic works made him one of the leading exponents of Baroque music in his country. Even though most of his works are rarely per ...

, presented at

Château de Sceaux The Château de Sceaux is a grand country house in Sceaux, Hauts-de-Seine, approximately from the centre of Paris, France. Located in a park laid out by André Le Nôtre, visitors can tour the house, outbuildings and gardens. The Petit Château o ...

19 April *1706:
Alcione
', tragédie lyrique in 5 acts and a prologue, music by Marin Marais, presented at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique), 18 February *1715: ''Apollon et les muses'', tableau dramatique, music by Jean-Joseph Mouret, presented at Château de Sceaux 19 April *1716: ''L'Amante difficile ou l'amant constant'', comedy in 5 acts and in prose, with

Pierre Rémond de Sainte-Albine Pierre Rémond de Sainte-Albine (29 May 1699 – 9 October 1778) was an 18th-century French historian and playwright. He collaborated with ''L'Europe savante'', the ''Gazette de France'' (1733–1749 and 1751) and the ''Mercure de France'' of whi ...

, presented at Théâtre de l'Hôtel de Bourgogne 17 October *1721:
Les Macchabées
', tragedy in 5 acts and in verse, presented à la Comédie-Française 6 March *1722: ''Romulus'', tragedy in 5 acts and in verse, presented at Comédie-Française 8 January *1723: ''Inès de Castro'', tragedy in 5 acts and in verse, presented at Comédie-Française 6 April *1726: ''Œdipe'', tragedy in 5 acts and in verse, presented at Comédie-Française 18 March *1730: ''Dalcyone'', opera, presented in September *1731: ''L'Italie galante ou les contes'', comedy in one prologue and 3 parts (''Le Talisman'', ''Richard Minutolo'', ''Le Magnifique''), presented at Comédie-Française 11 May *1731: ''L'Amante difficile'', divertissement in 5 acts and in prose, music by Jean-Joseph Mouret, presented at Théâtre de l'Hôtel de Bourgogne 23 August *1735: ''Scanderberg'', tragédie lyrique in 5 acts and a prologue, with

Jean-Louis-Ignace de La Serre Jean-Louis-Ignace de La Serre, sieur de Langlade, was an 18th-century French novelist and playwright born in Cahors in 1662 and died 30 September 1756. Royal censor, he authored a biography of Molière. He was wrongly attributed some works by Ma ...

, music by

François Francœur François () is a French masculine given name and surname, equivalent to the English name Francis. People with the given name * Francis I of France, King of France (), known as "the Father and Restorer of Letters" * Francis II of France, King ...

and

François Rebel François Rebel (19 June 17017 November 1775) was a French composer of the Baroque era. Born in Paris, the son of the leading composer Jean-Féry Rebel, he was a child prodigy who became a violinist in the orchestra of the Paris Opera at the age o ...

, presented at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 25 October *1748: ''Pygmalion'',

ballet Ballet () is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form ...

, reworked by

Ballot de Sauvot Sylvain Ballot de Sauvot (1703 – December 1760) was an 18th-century French lawyer at Parlement de Paris and man of letters amateur, belonging to the entourage of Jean-Philippe Rameau (Sylvain Ballot, his brother, was Rameau's notary). He rework ...

, music by

Jean-Philippe Rameau Jean-Philippe Rameau (; – ) was a French composer and music theorist. Regarded as one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the 18th century, he replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and ...

, presented at Château de Fontainebleau 27 August *1753: ''Prométhée'', prologue in verse, presented in Paris 9 January *1753: ''Titon et l'Aurore'', pastorale héroïque in 3 acts, with

Claude-Henri de Fusée de Voisenon Claude-Henri de Fusée, abbé de Voisenon (8 July 1708 – 22 November 1775) was a French playwright and writer. Life Born at the château de Voisenon near Melun, he was only ten when he addressed an epistle in verse to Voltaire, who asked the ...

and abbé de La Marre, music by

Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville Jean-Joseph de Mondonville (, 25 December 1711 (baptised) – 8 October 1772), also known as Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville, was a French violinist and composer. He was a younger contemporary of Jean-Philippe Rameau and enjoyed great succe ...

, presented at Théâtre du Palais-Royal (Académie royale de musique) 9 January *1753: ''Le Magnifique'', comedy in 2 acts and one prologue with three intermèdes, presented at château de Fontainebleau 15 November * ''Le Ballet des fées'', ballet * ''Le Calendrier des vieillards'', comedy in 1 act and in prose * ''Climène'', pastorale in 1 act and in verse * ''Les Âges'', opéra-ballet in 4 acts and one prologue

External links

Antoine Houdar de La Motte
on Wikisource
Biographical information at l'Académie française

His plays and their presentations
o
CÉSAR

o
http://baroquelibretto.free.fr

* ttp://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5469510h.r=Antoine+de+Lamothe-Houdart+Fables+choisies.langFR ''Fables choisies de l'Abbé Aubert et de Lamotte-Houdart'' ("sic") (212 pages) on Gallica

Bibliography

* Maurice Allem, ''Anthologie poétique française, XVIIIe'', Paris, Garnier Frères, 1919 * E. Dacier, « Le Premier Livre illustré au XVIIIe : les Fables de La Motte et les vignettes de Claude Gillot », in ''Trésors des bibliothèques de France'', 1929, tome II, (p. 1-14) * Paul Dupont, ''Un Poète philosophe au commencement du XVIIIe : Houdar de La Motte (1672–1731)'', Thèse présentée à la Faculté des lettres de l'Université de Paris, Paris, Hachette, 1898 * Cardinal Georges Grente (dir.), ''Dictionnaire des lettres françaises. Le XVIIIe'', nlle. édition revue et mise à jour sous la direction de François Moureau, Paris, Fayard, 1995 * François Moureau, « Les ''Fables nouvelles'' (1719) de La Motte ou comment s'en débarrasser », ''Le Fablier'', #2, 1990 * J.G. Robertson, « Sources italiennes des Paradoxes dramatiques de La Motte », ''Rev. littérature comparée'', 1923, (p. 369-375) * Claude-Sixte Sautreau de Marsy, ''Précis sur la vie et les ouvrages d'Houdar de La Motte'', Paris, 1785

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:La Motte, Antoine Houdar de 1672 births 1731 deaths Writers from Paris Members of the Académie Française 17th-century French dramatists and playwrights 18th-century French dramatists and playwrights 17th-century French male writers 18th-century French writers 18th-century French male writers French opera librettists French fabulists