Niccolo Piccinni (1738-1800)

Piccini.JPG (36430 bytes)

On the back, the letter is addressed to
"A La Citoyenne La Grange"

TRANSCRIPTION

Citoyenne,

Je viens d’avoir un entretien avec le C. Raymond,
qui m’a dessiné, quel est mon logement, dont j’en
suis fort content. Je n’ai, très aimable Citoyenne,
à présent aucun droit à me plaindre, ni de recourir ;
et je vous souhaite de tout mon cœur, que par la même
voie amicale soit rendue au Citoyen Lagrange, votre
très digne et respectable Père la justice qu’il est en
droit d’exiger de tout le monde, sans la demander.
Je vous rends mes très vifs remerciements et je vous
prie d’être toujours ma bonne voisine.

Salut et respect,

Piccinni

(Transcription provided by D.B., Paris)

TRANSLATION

Citizen

I just had an interview with the C(itizen) Raymond¹ who let me understand (or who draw²) what my would be my quarters which I am very happy with. I have now no reason to complain, very sweet Citizen, nor to appeal; and I wish from my deepest heart that justice be made in the same friendly way to the Citizen Lagrange³, your very respectable Father, who is entitled to obtain that justice from everyone without even having to ask. I give you my deepest thanks and may you be always my good neighbor.

Salut et respect,

Piccinni

(Translation provided by D.B., Paris)

ABOUT THE COMPOSER

This personal note above probably was written in Paris about 1799⁴. Niccolo Piccinni (1738-1800) wrote 139 operas during his lifetime. In Paris, he became famous when he and opera reformer Christoph Gluck competed as opera composers and divided Parisian opera-goers into Gluckists or Piccinnists.

NOTES:

1. Who Citizen Raymond was is unknown.

2. Piccinni uses the French word "dessiné" which means "to draw", and it is not clear whether this is the proper word used by Piccinni or he meant only that Raymond gave him indications on his future accommodation. (D.B.)

3. LaGrange was a popular name during the French Revolution. All that is known is that he was the father of the addressee.

4. The date is approximate and is based on the shaky handwriting and the frequent use of the salutation "Citizen," which was during the French Revolutionary period (1789-1799).

REV. 06/07/2006

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