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André Grétry

André Ernest Modeste Grétry (French: [gʁɛtʁi]; baptised 11 February 1741;[1] died 24 September 1813) was a composer from the Prince-Bishopric of Liège (present-day Belgium), who worked from 1767 onwards in France and took French nationality. He is most famous for his opéras comiques.

Portrait by Vigée Le Brun, 1785
Plaque in memory of André Grétry, 29-31 Grand Rue, Geneva.

Biography edit

He was born at Liège, his father being a poor musician. He was a choirboy at the church of St. Denis (Liège). In 1753 he became a pupil of Jean-Pantaléon Leclerc and later of the organist at St-Pierre de Liège, Nicolas Rennekin, for keyboard and composition and of Henri Moreau, music master at the collegiate church of St. Paul. But of greater importance was the practical tuition he received by attending the performance of an Italian opera company. Here he heard the operas of Baldassarre Galuppi, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, and other masters; and the desire of completing his own studies in Italy was the immediate result. To find the necessary means he composed in 1759 a mass which he dedicated to the canons of the Liège Cathedral, and it was at the expense of Canon Hurley that he went to Italy in March 1759. In Rome he went to the Collège de Liège. Here Grétry resided for five years, studiously employed in completing his musical education under Giovanni Battista Casali. His proficiency in harmony and counterpoint was, however, according to his own confession, at all times very moderate.[2]

His first great success was achieved by La vendemmiatrice, an Italian intermezzo or operetta, composed for the Aliberti theatre in Rome and received with universal applause. It is said that the study of the score of one of Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny's operas, lent to him by a secretary of the French embassy in Rome, decided Grétry to devote himself to French comic opera. On New Year's Day 1767 he accordingly left Rome, and after a short stay at Geneva (where he made the acquaintance of Voltaire, and produced another operetta) went to Paris.[2]

There for two years he had to contend with the difficulties attendant on poverty and obscurity. He was, however, not without friends, and by the intercession of Count Gustaf Philip Creutz, the Swedish ambassador, Grétry obtained a libretto from Jean-François Marmontel, which he set to music in less than six weeks, and which, on its performance in August 1768, met with unparalleled success. The name of the opera was Le Huron. Two others, Lucile and Le tableau parlant, soon followed, and thenceforth Grétry's position as the leading composer of comic opera was safely established.[2]

Altogether he composed some fifty operas. His masterpieces are Zémire et Azor and Richard Coeur-de-lion—the first produced in 1771, the second in 1784. The latter in an indirect way became connected with a great historic event. In it occurs the celebrated romance, O Richard, O mon Roi, l'univers t'abandonne, which was sung at the banquet – "fatal as that of Thyestes," remarks Carlyle – given by the bodyguard to the officers of the Versailles garrison on 3 October 1789. La Marseillaise not long afterwards became the reply of the people to the expression of loyalty borrowed from Grétry's opera.[2] Richard Cœur de Lion was translated and adapted for the English stage by John Burgoyne.[citation needed]

Grétry was the first to write for the "tuba curva", an instrument that existed from Roman times as the cornu. He used the tuba curva in music that he composed for the funeral of Voltaire.[3] His opera-ballet La caravane du Caire, with modest turquerie exoticism in harp and triangle accompaniment, is a rescue adventure along the lines of Die Entführung aus dem Serail; premiered at Fontainebleau in 1783, it remained in the French repertory for fifty years.[citation needed]

Grétry also made use of the mandolin in his compositions. Philip J. Bone speculated that Grétry was exposed to the instrument while in Italy, and said "he makes use of it upon various occasions, in this instance with a telling and marked impression." This instance was the serenade While all are sleeping from Grétry's opera L'amant jaloux. Bone called the serenade "a delicate accompaniment for two mandolins".[4]

 
Grétry wearing his medal from the Légion d'honneur

The composer himself was influenced by the great events he witnessed, and the titles of some of his operas, such as La rosière républicaine and La fête de la raison, sufficiently indicate the epoch to which they belong; but they are mere pièces de circonstance, and the republican enthusiasm displayed is not genuine. Little more successful was Grétry in his dealings with classical subjects. His genuine power lay in the delineation of character and in the expression of tender and typically French sentiment. The structure of his concerted pieces on the other hand is frequently flimsy, and his instrumentation so feeble that the orchestral parts of some of his works had to be rewritten by other composers, in order to make them acceptable to modern audiences. During the Revolution Grétry lost much of his property, but the successive governments of France vied in favouring the composer, regardless of political differences. From the old court he received distinctions and rewards of all kinds; the republic made him an inspector of the conservatoire; Napoleon granted him the cross of the legion of honour and a pension.[citation needed]

Grétry took students in opera composition, including his daughter Lucile and Caroline Wuiet. He died at the Hermitage in Montmorency, formerly the house of Rousseau. Fifteen years after his death Grétry's heart was transferred to his birthplace, permission having been obtained after a protracted lawsuit. In 1842 a large bronze statue of the composer was set up at Liège.[citation needed] His heart remains in it, while his body is buried in Paris at the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

During his life, a commemorative statue was made of him by Jean-Baptiste Stouf. It was commissioned in 1804 by Hippolyte, comte de Livry, and placed in the Opéra Comique in 1809. It is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.[5][6]

 
Statue of Grétry (1804–08), marble, by Jean-Baptiste Stouf (1742–1826), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Grétry was married to the painter Jeanne-Marie Grandon.

Operas edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ David Charlton, Grétry and the Growth of Opéra Comique (Cambridge University Press, 1986), p. 19
  2. ^ a b c d Chisholm 1911.
  3. ^ Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th ed, 1954.
  4. ^ Philip J. Bone, The guitar and mandolin, Biographies of celebrated players and composers for these instruments, Schott and Company, London, 1914
  5. ^ James David Draper (May 1970). "A Statue of the Composer Grétry by Jean-Baptiste Stouf". The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin. pp. 377–387.
  6. ^ James David Draper (May 1974). "Grétry Encore: A Portrait Drawing by François Dumont". Metropolitan Museum Journal. pp. 233–235.

References edit

  •   This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Grétry, André Ernest Modeste". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 12 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 583–584. Endnotes:
    • See Michel Brenet, Vie de Grétry (Paris, 1884)
    • Joach. le Breton, Notice historique sur la vie et les ouvrages de Grétry (Paris, 1814)
    • A Grétry (his nephew), Grétry en famille (Paris, 1814)
    • Felix van Hulst, Grétry (Liège, 1842)
    • L. D. S. Notice biographique sur Grétry (Brussels, 1869)
    • David Charlton, Grétry and the Growth of Opéra-Comique (Cambridge, 1986)
  • Jean-Marc Warszawski, "André Grétry"

External links edit

andré, grétry, grétry, redirects, here, other, uses, grétry, disambiguation, andré, ernest, modeste, grétry, french, gʁɛtʁi, baptised, february, 1741, died, september, 1813, composer, from, prince, bishopric, liège, present, belgium, worked, from, 1767, onward. Gretry redirects here For other uses see Gretry disambiguation Andre Ernest Modeste Gretry French gʁɛtʁi baptised 11 February 1741 1 died 24 September 1813 was a composer from the Prince Bishopric of Liege present day Belgium who worked from 1767 onwards in France and took French nationality He is most famous for his operas comiques Portrait by Vigee Le Brun 1785Plaque in memory of Andre Gretry 29 31 Grand Rue Geneva Contents 1 Biography 2 Operas 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksBiography editHe was born at Liege his father being a poor musician He was a choirboy at the church of St Denis Liege In 1753 he became a pupil of Jean Pantaleon Leclerc and later of the organist at St Pierre de Liege Nicolas Rennekin for keyboard and composition and of Henri Moreau music master at the collegiate church of St Paul But of greater importance was the practical tuition he received by attending the performance of an Italian opera company Here he heard the operas of Baldassarre Galuppi Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and other masters and the desire of completing his own studies in Italy was the immediate result To find the necessary means he composed in 1759 a mass which he dedicated to the canons of the Liege Cathedral and it was at the expense of Canon Hurley that he went to Italy in March 1759 In Rome he went to the College de Liege Here Gretry resided for five years studiously employed in completing his musical education under Giovanni Battista Casali His proficiency in harmony and counterpoint was however according to his own confession at all times very moderate 2 His first great success was achieved by La vendemmiatrice an Italian intermezzo or operetta composed for the Aliberti theatre in Rome and received with universal applause It is said that the study of the score of one of Pierre Alexandre Monsigny s operas lent to him by a secretary of the French embassy in Rome decided Gretry to devote himself to French comic opera On New Year s Day 1767 he accordingly left Rome and after a short stay at Geneva where he made the acquaintance of Voltaire and produced another operetta went to Paris 2 There for two years he had to contend with the difficulties attendant on poverty and obscurity He was however not without friends and by the intercession of Count Gustaf Philip Creutz the Swedish ambassador Gretry obtained a libretto from Jean Francois Marmontel which he set to music in less than six weeks and which on its performance in August 1768 met with unparalleled success The name of the opera was Le Huron Two others Lucile and Le tableau parlant soon followed and thenceforth Gretry s position as the leading composer of comic opera was safely established 2 Altogether he composed some fifty operas His masterpieces are Zemire et Azor and Richard Coeur de lion the first produced in 1771 the second in 1784 The latter in an indirect way became connected with a great historic event In it occurs the celebrated romance O Richard O mon Roi l univers t abandonne which was sung at the banquet fatal as that of Thyestes remarks Carlyle given by the bodyguard to the officers of the Versailles garrison on 3 October 1789 La Marseillaise not long afterwards became the reply of the people to the expression of loyalty borrowed from Gretry s opera 2 Richard Cœur de Lion was translated and adapted for the English stage by John Burgoyne citation needed Gretry was the first to write for the tuba curva an instrument that existed from Roman times as the cornu He used the tuba curva in music that he composed for the funeral of Voltaire 3 His opera ballet La caravane du Caire with modest turquerie exoticism in harp and triangle accompaniment is a rescue adventure along the lines of Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail premiered at Fontainebleau in 1783 it remained in the French repertory for fifty years citation needed Gretry also made use of the mandolin in his compositions Philip J Bone speculated that Gretry was exposed to the instrument while in Italy and said he makes use of it upon various occasions in this instance with a telling and marked impression This instance was the serenade While all are sleeping from Gretry s opera L amant jaloux Bone called the serenade a delicate accompaniment for two mandolins 4 nbsp Gretry wearing his medal from the Legion d honneurThe composer himself was influenced by the great events he witnessed and the titles of some of his operas such as La rosiere republicaine and La fete de la raison sufficiently indicate the epoch to which they belong but they are mere pieces de circonstance and the republican enthusiasm displayed is not genuine Little more successful was Gretry in his dealings with classical subjects His genuine power lay in the delineation of character and in the expression of tender and typically French sentiment The structure of his concerted pieces on the other hand is frequently flimsy and his instrumentation so feeble that the orchestral parts of some of his works had to be rewritten by other composers in order to make them acceptable to modern audiences During the Revolution Gretry lost much of his property but the successive governments of France vied in favouring the composer regardless of political differences From the old court he received distinctions and rewards of all kinds the republic made him an inspector of the conservatoire Napoleon granted him the cross of the legion of honour and a pension citation needed Gretry took students in opera composition including his daughter Lucile and Caroline Wuiet He died at the Hermitage in Montmorency formerly the house of Rousseau Fifteen years after his death Gretry s heart was transferred to his birthplace permission having been obtained after a protracted lawsuit In 1842 a large bronze statue of the composer was set up at Liege citation needed His heart remains in it while his body is buried in Paris at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery During his life a commemorative statue was made of him by Jean Baptiste Stouf It was commissioned in 1804 by Hippolyte comte de Livry and placed in the Opera Comique in 1809 It is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York 5 6 nbsp Statue of Gretry 1804 08 marble by Jean Baptiste Stouf 1742 1826 Metropolitan Museum of Art New YorkGretry was married to the painter Jeanne Marie Grandon Operas editMain article List of operas by Andre Gretry See also Category Operas by Andre GretryNotes edit David Charlton Gretry and the Growth of Opera Comique Cambridge University Press 1986 p 19 a b c d Chisholm 1911 Grove s Dictionary of Music and Musicians 5th ed 1954 Philip J Bone The guitar and mandolin Biographies of celebrated players and composers for these instruments Schott and Company London 1914 James David Draper May 1970 A Statue of the Composer Gretry by Jean Baptiste Stouf The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin pp 377 387 James David Draper May 1974 Gretry Encore A Portrait Drawing by Francois Dumont Metropolitan Museum Journal pp 233 235 References edit nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Gretry Andre Ernest Modeste Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 12 11th ed Cambridge University Press pp 583 584 Endnotes See Michel Brenet Vie de Gretry Paris 1884 Joach le Breton Notice historique sur la vie et les ouvrages de Gretry Paris 1814 A Gretry his nephew Gretry en famille Paris 1814 Felix van Hulst Gretry Liege 1842 L D S Notice biographique sur Gretry Brussels 1869 David Charlton Gretry and the Growth of Opera Comique Cambridge 1986 Jean Marc Warszawski Andre Gretry External links edit nbsp Media related to Andre Gretry at Wikimedia Commons Free scores by Gretry at the International Music Score Library Project IMSLP L ami de la maison comedie en trois actes et en vers melee d ariettes 1775 publication French digitized by BYU on archive org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Andre Gretry amp oldid 1194553063, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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