Opera, 1792, French | Pierre le Grand. Comédie. En trois actes, et en prose, mêlée de chants [...] Par M. Bouilly. Musique de M Grétry. Amsterdam, Chez Gabriel Dufour, 1792, 79 pp.

Bouilly, M.

Opera, 1792, French | Pierre le Grand. Comédie. En trois actes, et en prose, mêlée de chants […] Par M. Bouilly. Musique de M Grétry. Amsterdam, Chez Gabriel Dufour, 1792, 79 pp.

Name: Opera, 1792, French | Pierre le Grand. Comédie. En trois actes, et en prose, mêlée de chants [...] Par M. Bouilly. Musique de M Grétry. Amsterdam, Chez Gabriel Dufour, 1792, 79 pp.
SKU: 67564
Price: 50.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Bouilly was working on his “Pierre le Grand” just as the French Revolution was breaking out in 1789. The work reflects the political events of the day and expresses mild sentiments of criticism towards the monarchy. The story was inspired by a passage about Tsar Peter in Voltaire’s “Le siecle de Louis XIV” (1751). Bouilly and Grétry – who sympathized with the ideas of the revolution, but who were certainly not revolutionaries – intended to use this source as a means to highlight the importance of a good king. They gave the character of the tsar traits of a good-natured and wise Louis XIV, which could be read as a warning to the monarch. Other examples are found in the character of Peter’s wife Catherine alluding to Louis’ wife Marie-Antoinette, and the Swiss advisor Lefort, inspired by the Genevan banker Jacques Necker. The latter wished to abolish tax benefits for the nobility, posing as a symbol of hope for the French citizens.

The opera was well-received, even Marie-Antoinette attended the premiere.

Opera – theatre – French – komedie – French Revolution – Franse Revolutie – Paris

SKU: 67564

Bound in paper, 21.5 x 14 cm. Signs of wear, frayed edges. Some stains.

€ 54,50 (€ 50,00 ex. btw)

In stock