L'Entretien des musiciens. - Gantez, Annibal 1607-1668; Thoinan, Ernest 1827-1894 (Paris Claudin, 1878)
Annibal Gantez was a French composer and singer. He is undoubtedly one of the most striking examples of a "vicarious" chapel master, that is, moving from post to post to earn a living, as many of his 17th century colleagues did. His route can be traced from two types of sources: letters from L'Entretien des musiciens, which he first published in 1643, and various archival documents.
Thanks to his book, Gantez has become one of the most famous ‘vicariants’ in the history of music. He depicts a whole world of cathedrals that have sometimes tended to become deserted. L'entretiens des musiciens by Anibal Gantez is often quoted, but only quoted because its rarity means that it has not been widely read. It has become a mythical work. The present edition will at last give access to all those interested in the choirs and the teeming life of cathedrals in the past.
L'Entretien des Musiciens, par Le Sieur Gantez, Prieur de la Magdaleine en Provence, Chanoine Semiprebandé, Maistre des Enfans de Choeur & de la Musique, en l'Eglise Insigne & Cathédrale Sainct Estienne d'Auxerre
Ex libris Alexis Rostand (Stamp)
Publié d'après l'édition rarissime d'Auxerre, 1643. Avec préface, notes et éclaircissements
Keywords: 17th Century (1601-1700); Music history; Church music; Cappella; Choir; France