François Cappus

François Cappus (16?? – Dijon, November 1716) was a French composer.

Early life François Cappus was the son of legal counselor, Maitre Blaise Cappus, Bailiff for Parlement at Aix en Provence. He married Anne Hervelin (16?? - Dijon, March 1692). They were buried together in Saint-Etienne church of Dijon. The couple had three sons, among them the composer Jean Cappus, and three daughters.

Career Shortly after his death, Cappus was referred to as a ‘good organist who had a healthy appetite, he died at a ripe old age’. He was also a singer at Dijon Cathedral, and was appointed to an official post in 1683 to ‘sing at all the important events’.

Works A dozen of his vocal compositions have survived, sometimes erroneously attributed to his son Jean Cappus.

1693 Air for 1 singer and continuo Printemps, gardez-vous bien.

1694 Six airs for 1 singer and continuo

Vous estes insensible au tourment, Je meurs (bis) tous les jours, Quand, pressé par l'excès, Amour, avant que ma constance, Taisez-vous (bis) tendres mouvements, Que ces vastes forests solitaires. Two airs Que l'amour est charmant, for three voices, Quand le feu fait sentir, for one singer with a recitative for bass “air à boire”.

1699 Four airs Vous cachez avec soin vos peines, Pour n'être point pilotte téméraire, Reviens, affreux Hyver, Que l'amour est charmant et doux, for three voices. s.d. Air Vous cachez avec soin vos peines, bergers…

1700 Henrici Julii Borboni primi é Regio Sanguine principis laudes, Ballet en deux parties, mêlé de chant Three airs Que Bacchus est charmant !, air à boire Voulez-vous savoir qui des deux, air à boire Le berger Tircis, vaux-de-ville.