ABSTRACT
In August 1802, during the Peace of Amiens, Viotti accompanied the entire Chinnery family for a two-and-a-half-month visit to Paris. The visit is documented in the Chinnery/Genlis correspondence that is part of the CFP collection. It is also mentioned in Margaret Chinnery's education journal and in a letter from Baillot to his friend Montbeillard. The primary aim of Margaret's visit was to meet her mentor in education methods, Madame de Genlis. Viotti's compositions were used not only as models for violin practice: they were also used exclusively as examination pieces in the Conservatoire's end of year concours. By 1802 the concerts had become the well respected but modestly named exercices publics, some of the most popular public concerts in Paris. During his stay in Paris Viotti was persuaded by his disciples to give a private concert in a small room of the Conservatoire, so that the pupils could hear their venerated master.
