ABSTRACT
Viotti has been identified as the composer of the music to a new ballet, Apollon Berger, premiered at the King's Theatre on 27 September 1796, and choreographed by the ballet-master Gallet. It was apparently at the end of 1796 that Viotti entertained his 'Revolutionary' French friends at the Crown and Anchor Inn, which raised Michael Kelly's eyebrows. A Chinnery letter of the winter of 1796–97 makes it clear that there was no animosity between Viotti and Cramer over the latter's replacement as leader of the orchestra. When Viotti was exiled in March 1798 William moved in with Smith and continued to live there during the working week until the time he fled England in disgrace in 1812. Viotti arranged for his gifted pupil to give a performance at the New Musical Fund concert at the King's Theatre. Viotti had performed concertos in the first two Opera concerts of the season.
