Grétry's Operas and the French Public

Name: Grétry's Operas and the French Public
Brand: Taylor & Francis

Taylor & Francis

Why, in the dying days of the Napoleonic Empire, did half of Paris turn out for the funeral of a composer? The death of Andr\u00E9 Ernest Modeste Gr\u00E9try in 1813 was one of the sensations of the age, setting off months of tear-stained commemorations, reminiscences and revivals of his work. To understand this singular event, this interdisciplinary study looks back to Gr\u00E9try\u2019s earliest encounters with the French public during the 1760s and 1770s, seeking the roots of his reputation in the reactions of his listeners. The result is not simply an exploration of the relationship between a musician and his audiences, but of developments in musical thought and discursive culture, and of the formation of public opinion over a period of intense social and political change. The core of Gr\u00E9try\u2019s appeal was his mastery of song. Distinctive, direct and memorable, his melodies were exported out of the opera house into every corner of French life, serving as folkloristic toke.