Jean-Pierre Duport

Jean-Pierre was the son of a dancing master, and a student of the founder of the French school of cello playing Martin Berteau (1691–1771).

After studying with Berteau, Jean-Pierre Duport made his debut at the age of 19 at the Concert Spirituel, then the center for non-operatic music in Paris.

In 1786 Duport was named as Surintendant de la musique and placed in charge of all chamber music at the court.

"[2] When Napoleon defeated Friedrich Wilhelm III's army, and captured Berlin in 1806 the Prussian court orchestra was disbanded.

Duport and his younger brother were acquainted with Beethoven: in February 1796 Beethoven had left Vienna for a five-month concert tour which took him to Pest, Prague (accompanied by Prince Lichnowsky, who had travelled there with Mozart in 1789), Dresden, Leipzig, and Berlin, where he was inspired by the high level and quality of musical activity at the court of King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia.