A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hortense, Eugénie de Beauharnais

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

HORTENSE, Eugénie de Beauharnais, daughter of Josephine, Queen of Holland and mother of Napoleon III, known as 'La reine Hortense,' born in Paris April 10, 1783, died at Viry, Oct. 5, 1837, the reputed authoress (at Utrecht, 1807) of both words and melody of 'Partant pour la Syrie,' an air which has been said to have been to the Empire what the 'Marseillaise' was to the Republic. Her musical knowledge was very slight, but in Drouet she had a clever musician for secretary, who has left an amusing account^[1] of the manner in which he was required to reduce into form the melodies which she hummed. Whether Drouet or the Queen of Holland were the real author of the pretty tune in question, it is certain that she will always be credited with it.

[ M. C. C. ]

1. See Pougin's supplement to Fétis, art. Drouet.