Piccinni’s opera and further events

Now the focus turns to the long-awaited premiere (27 January 1778) of Niccolò Piccinni’s Roland at the Opéra and its unexpected success. Subsequent events include the influence and identity of the Mélophile, who defended Piccinni’s music eloquently in 1778 and again in 1783 (which was said to have terminated the quarrel). Also treated are the intimidation of journalists and the techniques used to sow discord in society and silence critics. Playing a significant role in Christoph Willibald Gluck’s position of power was his former pupil Queen Marie Antoinette, who granted him the court’s full and exclusive support.