A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Berbiguier, Benoit

by Alfred Maczewski

BERBIGUIER, Benoit Tranquille, famous flute-player, born Dec. 21, 1782, at Caderousse in the Vaucluse; intended for the law, but the love of music being too strong for him, ran away from home and entered himself at the Conservatoire in Paris. From 1813 to 1819 he served in the army, and after that resided in Paris. As an adherent of the Bourbons he was driven thence by the Revolution of 1830 to take refuge at Pont le Voyé, where he died Jan. 29, 1838. As a player he stood in the first rank. His contemporaries praise the softness and peculiar sweetness of his tone and the astonishing perfection of his technique. As a composer he was very fertile in music for his instrument, both solo and accompanied—11 concertos, many fantasias and variations, 140 duos, 32 trios, with quartets and symphonies. But they are very unequal in excellence, generally more brilliant and showy than really good, the work of the virtuoso rather than of the musician.

[ A. M. ]