Berbiguier, Benoit Tranquille 12/21/1782 - 01/29/1838

Antoine Benoit Tranquille Berbiguier (b. December 21st in 1782 in Caderousse, Dept. Vaucluse; d. January 29th, 1838 in Pontlevoy) was a French flutist and composer.



Berbiguier learned to play the flute, violin and cello auto-didactically at an early age. Originally intending to study law, he instead entered the Conservatoire de Paris in 1805 as a student of the flutist Johann Georg Wunderlich and Henri Montan Berton (harmony). In 1813 Berbiguier was called to military service. In 1819, having attained the rank of lieutenant, he was discharged. He took up life in Paris as a virtuoso flutist and composer. In 1830 he moved to Pontlevoy.



Berbiguier left behind more than 150 works, including 11 flute concerts, two symphonies for two flutes and orchestra, as well as chamber music compositions. Some of his etudes are still used by flute teachers today.