After great popularity in Italy, the mandolin came into favor in the Paris salons c. 1760, when the ‘galant’ style was at its height and the virtuoso qualities of the Neapolitan mandolin players were greatly appreciated by the members of high society who frequented the salons. Christian Schneider teaches at the Schola Cantorum in Paris and works at the Opéra, with the Ensemble Intercontemporain and for Radio France, as well as appearing with many international orchestras. Sylvie Pécot-Douatte has aimed to revive and focus attention on French keyboard music of the late 18th c.