The Composer Grétry

Andr�-Ernest-Modeste Gr�try (1741-1813) was a French composer of operas, a leader in the evolution of French op�ra comique from light popular plays with music into semiserious musical drama. He enjoyed enormous popularity in Paris during his life-time and far into the 19th century. His statue by Stouf was formerly erected at the entrance of the Th�âtre Feydeau in Paris where his music was often performed. Forty-one of his some sixty operas are inscribed on the column of this statue.

The execution of Gr�try’s statue is connected with the project, endorsed by the Acad�mie Fran�aise, to create portraits of the great men of France.