Sonate in C Major for flute and harpsichord

Felix Rault (1736–1800) was a prominent French flutist and teacher whose career spanned the transition from the late Baroque to the early Classical era in Paris.
He was considered one of the leading virtuosos of his time, frequently appearing as a soloist in major Parisian concert series.
Born in Bordeaux, in a family of musicians (his father was a professional bassoonist for the Royal Orchestra in Paris), he followed his father's career, becoming a student of Michel Blavet, the greatest French flutist and teacher of the 18th century.
Rault held many of the most prestigious flute positions in France. He joined the Paris Opéra orchestra in 1754 and succeeded his teacher, Michel Blavet, as first flutist in 1758, a position he held until 1781. He also performed in the orchestra of the Concert Spirituel (c. 1765–1776) and the Royal Chapel (1768–1792).
As a student of Michel Blavet, he passed on the refined French style to several pupils who became major figures in their own right, including François Devienne and Johann Georg Wunderlich, A German flutist who became a celebrated professor at the Paris Conservatoire.
His compositions primarily focus on the technical and expressive possibilities of the flute. He composed at least two flute concertos and a substantial amount of chamber music compositions.
Rault's influence remained strong until the end of the 18th century, and his career highlights the professionalization of the flute in the major public concert halls and operatic houses of pre-Revolutionary Paris.