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Classical French

MÉHUL, Etienne-Nicolas

Portrait of Etienne-Nicolas Méhul attributed to Antoine-Jean Gros

Born in Givet, Ardennes, June 22, 1763
Died in Paris, Oct 18, 1817

  • Méhul was one of France’s leading composers during the French Revolution and subsequent reign of Napoleon.
  • Méhul composed operas, choral works and patriotic hymns.1
  • During his lifetime Méhul was celebrated outside of France as well. When E.T.A. Hoffmann heard his Ariodant in Berlin in 1816, he called Méhul a “learned and versatile” composer.2

Sources

  1. M. Elizabeth C. Bartlet, “Méhul, Etienne-Nicolas,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed November 14, 2019,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000018270.
  2. David Charlton, liner notes to Méhul: The Complete Symphonies, Orchestra of the Gulbenkian Foundation, Michel Swierczewski, Nimbus 5184, CD, 1989.

Pieces