Jean-Jacques+Rousseau


 * Jean-Jacques Rousseau **

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century. He was born on June 28, 1712. The Swiss-born man was known for his political theories, which influenced the Enlightenment in Europe. Rousseau died at the age of 66 on July 2, 1778 in France.

As a philosopher, Rousseau stated that p hysical freedom is our birthright as well as individual freedom is a right to all citizens. This led him to write, //On the Social Contract Theory//. As a composer, Rousseau wrote seven operas, some examples being //Le Devin du Village//, which was performed at the wedding of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and //Pygmalion//, which became his most influential dramatic work. Rousseau created music in several different forms as well. His style of music consisted of classical Baroque. The Baroque period was named for the style of European architecture, music, and art in the 17th and 18th centuries, meaning ‘ornamented’ and ‘extravagant’. //Ranz-des-Vaches// and //Le Rosier// were both examples of his classical music works.

Rousseau’s political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment period in France and the overall development of modern political and educational thought. He was a brilliant, undisciplined and unconventional thinker throughout his life. Even from the 18th century until now, Rousseau is one of the biggest inspirations in history. His legacy will be carried on for centuries to come. // “ The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.” Rousseau //