The General Biographical Dictionary, Vol. 26 : Containing an Historical and Critical Account of the Lives and Writings of the Most Eminent Persons in Every Nation (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The General Biographical Dictionary, Vol. 26: Containing an Historical and Critical Account of the Lives and Writings of the Most Eminent Persons in Every Nation

The opera of Castor and Pollux having been long regarded in France as the master-piece of this composer, Dr. Burney'has entered into a strict critical examination of it, for which we refer to his History. He concludes with observing, that, though the several merits of\this mo 'sician have been too much magnified by partizans and pa; triots in France, and too much depreciated by the abettors of other systems and other styles, as well as patriots of other countries, yet Rameau was a great man; nor can the professor of any art or science mount to the summit of' fame, and be elected by his countrymen supreme dictator in his particular faculty, without a large portion of genius and abilities.

The successful revival of his opera of Castor and P01 lux in 1754, after the victory obtained by his friends over the Italian burletta singers who had raised such disa turbance by their performance of Pergolesi's intermezzo, the Serva was regarded as the most glorious event of his life. The partizans for the national honour could never hear it often enough. This beautiful opera, says Mrde la Borde, without any diminution in the ap plause or pleasure of the audience, supported a hundred representations, charming at once the soul, heart, mind, eyes, ears, and imagination of all Paris.

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