(b Liège, 8 Feb 1741; d Paris, 24 Sept 1813). French composer. Of Walloon descent, he was a distinguished boy soprano.In 1761-5 he studied in Rome, composing sacred music and two intermezzos (1765). He settled in Paris in 1767 and began writing in the new opéra comique genre; his second work, Le Huron (1768), was an instant success. As his output continued he rose in esteem, and many works were given abroad (especially in Liège). Some (e.g. Zémire et Azor, 1771) used oriental subjects. His serious opera Andromaque (1780) was a failure, but with Colinette à la cour (1782) and Panurge dans l′île des lanternes (1785) he successfully introduced comic subject matter to the Opéra, helping to remove the barriers between tragedy and comedy. In the rivalry between supporters of Gluck and Piccinni, Grétry favoured the Gluckists, whose applause made his La caravane du Caire (1783) a particular triumph. After Richard Coeur-de-lion (1784) his inspiration declined. Several works were banned after the Revolution, and his later operas were obliged to support the new regime. Latterly he concentrated on literature, notably his Mémoires (1789), which comment on his works and his ideas about composition, and his Reflexions d′un solitaire (1801 - 13).
Grétry dominated opéra comique in his day and contributed significantly to the development of French opera as a whole. He skilfully combined Italian features and clear French declamation; with his simple, delicately expressive style and natural characterization he implemented Rousseau's ideas for opera. His operas include both Italian and French aria and song forms. Clear characterization is a particular feature of his ensembles, and the instrumental pieces (overtures and dances) are colourfully but economically scored. Among his other compositions are romances, Revolutionary songs and early instrumental and sacred works.
works:Dramatic music
- Zémire et Azor (1771)
- L′amant jaloux (1778)
- La caravane du Caire (1783)
- Richard Coeur-de-lion (1784)
- Panurge dans l′île des lanternes (1785)
- c 35 other operas
- prologues, divertissements
- c 20 romances
- 4 Revolutionary songs
- sacred works
- 6 str qts, op.3 (1773)





