Grétry, Lucile (1772–1790)

views updated

Grétry, Lucile (1772–1790)

French composer of opera. Name variations: Lucile Gretry. Born Angélique-Dorothée-Louise Grétry in Paris, France, on July 15, 1772; died in Paris in March1790; daughter of André Ernest Modeste Grétry (a composer); had two sisters.

The composer Angélique-Dorothée-Louise Grétry, who would be known as Lucile Grétry, was born in Paris on July 15, 1772, and named after the heroine in an opera written by her father, the composer André Grétry. He would teach her counterpoint and declamation, while Jean-François Tapray would teach her harmony. At age 13, Lucile composed the vocal parts, as well as the bass and a harp accompaniment for Le mariage d'Antonio which her father later orchestrated. The full score, published in 1786, was performed 47 times between 1786 and 1791, during the tumultuous French Revolution, and many music critics commented on the work's freshness. She also composed Toinette et Louis which had only a single performance. Both Lucile and her two sisters had contracted tuberculosis in childhood, the disease which was responsible for her early death.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia

About this article

Grétry, Lucile (1772–1790)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article