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The Great Composers. No. XXII. Grétry

1887; Volume: 28; Issue: 531 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3360471

2397-5326

Joseph Bennett, André Ernest Modeste Grétry, André Ernest Modeste Grétry,

French Literature and Poetry

this continental Squeers, Andre passed under the authority of Simon Leclerc, who iS described as a mediocre musician, but devoted to his pupils.Leclerc also ruled with a rod of iron it was the fashion of the age but Gretry's enthusiasm for music could not be whipped out of him by its professors.He made rapid progress, especially in reading at sight in different clefs, though it does not appear that he studied any instrument.About this time an Italian company visited Liege, playing the operas of Pergolesi and other masters of the same period; assisted by a local orchestra, wherein Andre's father held one of the violins.During the xYhole season the lad enjoyed free admission, varming up his enthusiasm with each successive performance, and becomillg sa ardent that, on being put under Micolas Rennekin for harmony and counterpoint, he fretted sore against the drudgery of prelimiIlary studies.He, forsooth,.must plunge at once into motetts and fugues, orchestral symphonies and pianoforte sonatas, as though his good genius had made him independent of customary methods.Some of these works were actually performed at Liege, to the enormous delight of the young composer, and also to his benefit, since they brought him under the notice of a clerical amateur, Canon de Harlez, who suggested a course of study in Rome, then the head-quarters of European music.The worthy priest did more than this; he obtained from the College Chapter a grant for thelad's expenses and sent him on his way rejoicing.It may be that the Chapter were glad to get rid of our young musician, who had lost his boyish treble, while the rupture of a blood-vessel when straining at a high note made him risky as a vocalist in any capacity.But, from whatever motive, Gretry's spiritual pastorsand masters did the right thing by him and laid the foundation of his fortunes.Gretry was eighteen when, in the latter days of March, I759, he set out from Liege to walk to Rome9 having as his companions an Abbe, a young surgeon, and a gentleman who gained his living by evading.custom-house officers a respectable and praiseworthy profession, then held in general esteem.The party were two months on the road, and pretty well "used up " when they caught sight of the dome of St. Peter's.Hidding his fellow-travellers adieu, Gretry sought out a college founded by a Liegeois, as a home for students from his native city, with a right of residence during Eve years.There he took up hisB abode, and placed himself under Casali, preparatory to going through a regular course of instruction, almost from the rudiments upward.Casali would hear nothing of motetts, fugues, and symphonies.The flowery land where such things rightfully grow can only be reached by painful travel through the arid regions of harmony and counterpoint.1'his fact Gretry's master impressed upon his pupil so effectually that the young man submitted with a fairly good grace.Presently occurred an event which had much influence upon Gretry's future.In I760e Nicolas Piccinni broug'nt out, at Rome, his comic opera, " La Cecchina ossia la Buona Figliuola," with immense success, and the youthful Liegeois was greatly struck by Italian fanaticism for its engaging and simple melodies.It is said that, when he called upon the composer, Piccinni received him coldly, and gave much offence to his self-love, but that did not prevent Gretry from allowing himself to be influenced by the popular master's method arld style.At this time the young man had made his talents so far known that the director of the Alberti theatre invitedd him to compose an intermezzo, " Les Vendageuses," for the Carnival.Gretry scored his first success witla this piece, and was serenaded the next morning by the town drummers, only an hour or two before-THE GREAT COMPOSERE;