André Ernest Modeste Grétry (1741–1813)
La rosière de Salencyis in FO,v.61, and Richard Coeur de Lionis in FO,v.62.
- Jobe, Robert. “The Operas of André Ernest Modeste Grétry.” Ph.D. diss.,
U. of Michigan, 1965. 311p. - Clercx, Suzanne. Grétry, 1741–1813.Brussels: La Renaissance du Livre, 1944.
139p. Reprint, New York: AMS, 1978. ML410 .G8 C62.
A perceptive life and works but not documented; also lacking musical ex-
amples and index. - Charlton, David. Grétry and the Growth of “opéra-comique.”New York:
Cambridge U.P., 1986. xii, 371p. ISBN 0-521-25229-X. ML410 .G83 C35.
A useful description of the operas, with technical analysis and musical ex-
amples. The political and musical context is well explored. Backnotes, minor
bibliography, expansive index. - Pendle, Karin. “Theopéras-comiques of Grétry and Marmontel.” MQ63-3
(July 1976): 409–434.
Discusses six operas written between 1768 and 1775 as illustrations of
Grétry’s maturing style. Marmontel was his librettist.
927.Grétry et l’Europe de l’opéra-comique.Ed. Philippe Vendrix. Liège: Mardaga, - 389p. ISBN 2-87009-483-3. ML410 .G73 G73.
Sixteen essays by various authors. These are entered separately: M. Elizabeth
Bartlet on Grétry in the Revolution (#928), Bruce Alan Brown on opéra-
comique(#2246), David Charlton on a computer database of opéra-comique
(#2247), Herbert Schneider on Auber (#464), and Manuel Couvreur on folie
(#2250). The volume has a name index. - Bartlet, M. Elizabeth. “Grétry and the Revolution.” In Grétry et l’Europe
(#927), 47–112.
The composer’s memoirs leave “a negative portrait of the Revolution.” His
operas of the 1790s were unsuccessful, although they are “worth further seri-
ous consideration.” Grétry’s complex political views are described, and there
is a table of his operas from 1781 to 1803. - Culot, Paul, ed. Le jugement de Midas.. .Brussels: Bibliothèque Royale
Albert Ier, 1978. 89p. ML410 .G8 C9.
Facsimile of a contemporary score of the opera, with libretto. Reviews and
other documents relating to the premiere in 1778 and relevant parts of the
composer’s memoirs. - Pendle, Karin. “Les philosophesand opéra-comique: The Case of Grétry’s
Lucile.” MR38 (1977): 177–191.
Diderot and his fellow philosophesfavored this opera; their opinions are
examined. Also program notes and some analysis of the work, discussion of its
pivotal place in the change from trivial comic opera to the more serious style
preferred by the savants. Citations to earlier literature.
182 Opera