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Celebrating
two hundred and fifty years
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Henriette Beaumesnil (1748-1813)

Salle de la
Belle-Cheminee at Fontainbleau: engraving c1778 The French singer and composer Henriette Beaumesnil specialised from the age of seven in soubrette roles in comedies. She made a successful debut at the Paris Opera in November 1766, and sang in many premieres and revivals until her retirement in 1781. Her first composition, a one-act opera Anacreon received a private performance in 1781. She then acheived public success with her act de ballet Tibulle et Delie, ou Les Saturnales. Her oratorio Les Israelites poursuivis par Pharaon was performed at the Concert Spirituel in December 1784. She is also remembered for her part in a 'duel au pistolet' with the dancer Mlle Theodore.

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Overture to Tibulle et Delie, 1784
2 tpt, 2 hn, 2 fl, 2 ob, strings. 8 mins
1. Allegro, E major. 2. Andante Gracioso, E major. 3. Allegro, E major
The ballet was premiered at court and then given at the Paris Opera in March 1784. The Overture has three brief movements, a la Italian sinfonia, with bright energy and some effective harmonic changes.

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