Grétry's Operas and the French Public

The core of André Ernest Modeste Grétry’s appeal was his mastery of song. His melodies were exported out of the opera house into every corner of French life, serving as folkloristic tokens of celebration and solidarity. His death in 1813 was one of the sensations of the age, setting off months of commemorations and revivals of his work. To understand this singular event, this interdisciplinary study looks back to Grétry’s 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.