A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lajarte, Théodore de

LAJARTE, Théodore de, one of the librarians of the Grand Opera, Paris (Académie de Musique), author of a book for which every student of musical history must be grateful to him, viz. a Catalogue, historical, chronological and anecdotic, of the Musical Library of the Opera, etc., 2 vols. with 7 portraits—beautifully etched by Le Rat—and a view. It contains an Introduction, describing the library; a list, in order of production, of the 594 pieces which have been produced at the Opera between 'Pomone,' March 19, 1671, and 'Sylvia,' June 14, 1876, with the names of the singers, remarks on the piece, its success or non-success, and often extracts from the libretto; biographical notices of composers and librettists; a supplementary list of 'œuvres diverses,' comprising 49 operas, received but not produced, and of which the MSS. are preserved—and of other music engraved and MS.; and to complete, two indexes of titles and names. The work is admirably done, apparently with great accuracy, and is not only a boon to the reader but a striking evidence of the superior system under which these things are managed in Paris.

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