A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Grisar, Albert

by George Grove

GRISAR, ALBERT, born at Antwerp, Dec. 26, 1808, was intended for commerce, and with that view was placed in a house of business at Liverpool. The love of music was however too strong for him, and after a few struggles with his family he ran away to Paris, and reached it only a day or two before the Revolution of July 1830. He began to study under Reicha, but the revolution spread to Belgium, and Grisar was obliged to join his family in Antwerp. His first public success was 'Le Mariage impossible' at Brussels in the spring of 1833. It attracted the attention of the government, and procured him a grant of 1200 francs towards the completion of his musical education. He returned to Paris and henceforward gave himself up almost entirely to the theatre. His first appearance there was at the Opéra Comique with 'L'an mil.' Though not unsuccessful he was dissatisfied with himself, and in 1840 or 1841 went to Naples to study composition under Mercadante; and there he remained for several years. In 1848 he was again in Paris, and did not leave it till his death, which took place at Asnières on June 15, 1869. Nineteen of his comic operas were produced on the stage, and a dozen more remained in MS. A list will be found in Pougin's supplement to Fétis. He also published more than 50 melodies and romances. His statue, by Brackeleer, is in the vestibule of the Antwerp Theatre, and a Life of him by Pougin has been published by Hachette. With the Parisians he was a great favourite. 'A charming delicate natural musician, several of whose works will remain to attest the rare excellence of his talent' is the judgment of a French critic in the Menestrel. On an Englishman however—and one who knew him and liked him—he made a different impression; 'His music,' says Mr. Chorley, 'leaves not the slightest trace on the memory. I cannot recall from the whole list a melody, a touch of instrumental novelty, an indication of character or local colour.' M. Chouquet (Musique Dramatique, 286), while praising his fresh and graceful melody and his sympathy with the scene and the situation, will not allow him a place above the second rank.

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