A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Frichot

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

FRICHOT, a Frenchman, inventor of the bass-horn or ophicleide, settled in London about 1790, published there in 1800 'A complete Scale and Gamut of the Bass-horn .... invented by Mr. Frichot.' This instrument supplied a new and powerful bass for wind instruments in aid of the bassoon, which was too weak, and the serpent, which was very imperfect. It is now generally superseded by the Bombardon and Euphonium. [Ophicleide.]

[ M. C. C. ]