In the Eye of a Storm (3 page)
‘Oh I often see Dunod too and I always speak with him when he attends
our concerts,’ Laneve replied. ‘He is not only a great music lover - he is a
champion of the ordinary person. And I too admire him very much. But come now,
let us enjoy our lunch and leave politics to the men.’
Later that afternoon after her guests had departed Laneve sat quietly
in the gathering dusk. She had spent time thinking aloud about the luncheon
conversations.
‘Yes, I am so fortunate to live away from Paris here in the country.
Now there is no doubt that France is experiencing a time of great restlessness.
People are often in fear about the changing attitudes of the general populace
and the shifting of loyalties. It is distressing too that the monarchy is so
maligned, though they continue to do nothing to change this situation.
Now even Viotti is suggesting that we should perform more frequently in
the country estates. I know he is always busy with the opera and with his
latest violin concertos, but I believe he is also deeply worried about our
safety in Paris. Somehow I am unable to rid myself of this sense of impending
disaster.’
Time passed quickly for Laneve until several months later in mid-July
when she and Rene were urgently summoned to their drawing room. The Count de
Charnade stood before them. He had arrived alone, on horseback and looked
exhausted. Laneve immediately requested a cold drink and some refreshments for
him as they sat together near the large glass French doors. The count was the
first to speak.
‘Laneve and Rene, please forgive this unannounced visit but I have news
that does not bode well for us. I have just left a meeting that included the
Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, the Marquis de Lafayette and a number of concerned
royalists. My next words are for your ears alone.’
‘Yes, we will keep your confidences between us both, Dunod. I hope that
your information will not confirm the sense of dread that we have also been
feeling of late,’ Rene answered.
The count continued, ‘I have just learned that an insurrection is
underway in Paris. We both know that France’s economy has been strangled by
royal privileges and a corrupt administrative system. I have personally
attempted to convey my thoughts to the king, particularly those practices
regarding crop failures and the high taxes that are burdening ordinary people.’
Dunod spoke on, ‘As I see events unfolding now, the last opportunity
for King Louis lies with the Third Estate. As you both know, the estate is made
up of ordinary persons, together with some clergy and aristocracy. It was hoped
that this group could find solutions to the present troubles besetting us all.’
‘I have also heard that the Third Estate would provide a force for
unity,’ replied Laneve. ‘But is it possible this may not happen?’
‘I fear not, because the king, who is always abetted by Marie
Antoinette, chose instead to revert back to the previous system of divine
rights. He concentrated his troops in and around Paris last week on July 10
th
and these soldiers forcefully dispersed a demonstration of 5,000 people. There
was looting and burning as the people captured rifles and several cannons from
the
Barracks des Invalides
. However they had no ammunition because all
of the gunpowder had been transferred to the Bastille.’
‘Speak on,’ Rene urged, dreading the next words of this shocking story.
‘So the people moved to the Bastille on July 14
th
demanding
a peaceful surrender. But instead, de Launay commanded the soldiers to open
fire on the crowd. This action scattered them until two o’clock when a huge
crowd returned heavily armed with pikes, axes, knives and some rifles. They
were even being joined by soldiers of the National Guard.
The Swiss Guards on the battlements fired again and again into the
crowd killing 97 assailants and injuring 70 others. The situation became
intolerable when the mob was nearly able to force the doors. Finally de Launay
had to surrender and the Bastille has now been captured by the people. Oh
Laneve and Rene, I fear that France is about to embark upon a civil war or even
worse, to find itself in the midst of a revolution.’
Laneve sank back into her chair as Dunod continued. ‘You are still safe
here in Montmorency, but take precautions whenever you both choose to travel.
This present situation is urgent and I must be away quickly as others are
awaiting me. Do take care of yourselves. Please promise me.’
And so in July of 1789, Laneve and Rene first learned the news of the
fall of the Bastille.
‘Storm clouds are gathering, Laneve,’ said Rene as he held her close to
him. ‘We must take utmost care now and stay at home as much as we can.’
They were both deeply disturbed by this magnitude of events – happenings
that would lead them and so many others directly into a reign of terror.
Seated at his desk, Captain Bernard Sarrette was organizing music and studying
his conductor’s score for tomorrow’s rehearsal. The pale blue of the afternoon
sky was slowing turning to pink and gold as a footman entered the study and
began to light its many candles.
‘Shall I draw the drapes now, captain?
‘No need to do so as my work is finished. I’ll just enjoy this quiet
space from my window. Perhaps you would return a little later.’
Bernard Sarrette reflected on the success he had achieved during the
past several years. ‘
Mon Dieu,
it seems only yesterday that I started the
Military Band of the French National Guard, yet it has prospered and grown to
include forty five musicians. I now can boast of accepting only the finest wind
players in Europe.
With the new change in public sentiment toward republicanism and the
constant demand for music to accompany the growing parades and the large Grand
National Festivals, my ensemble has found public favour. How fortunate I am.’
At that very moment his peace was broken by a knock at his door.
Sarrette crossed the room and was greeted by a fellow soldier from the National
Guard.
‘Captain Sarrette, I have a document to deliver to you alone.’
Sarrette took the envelope, thanked him and noticed immediately that it
carried the seal of the Committee of State Education and Finances. Opening it
hastily the message contained a request for his presence at a committee meeting
on the next afternoon. It had been signed by Thermidor Chenier, acting head of
the committee. Sarrette spoke aloud, ‘Whatever can the committee want of me? It
must be something of great importance.’
On the following day at the conclusion of his rehearsal, Sarrette
requested a coach and was driven to the meeting place. As he entered the room
he noticed a large number of committee members together with several prominent
composers, gathered around a table. His musical colleagues were present
including Goosec, Cherubini and the conductor Catel who welcomed him warmly.
Two other men also entered the room and were introduced as architects. They
immediately took their places and spread out a roll of architectural drawings
on the table. Thermidor Chenier then rose and addressed the gathering.
‘Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you here today with some
exciting news. There is now such a demand for massed concert band music that
the Committee of State Education and Finance has expressed its desire to build
and staff a new music school.
This great institution will be known as the
Conservatoire Nationale
de Musique
, and will be the first such school to be built throughout all of
Europe. This school has a two-fold mission: it will be composed initially of
115 artists, and it must take part in the celebration of national festivals.
Our decree also establishes the school, located within the commune of Paris, to
train pupils of the two sexes, in all parts of the musical art.
There is urgency within the committee to see the opening of the new
Conservatoire
in the year 1795. A site has been obtained for this purpose on the newly named,
Rue Bergere
in the buildings of the
Menus Plaisirs
. The interiors
require extensive alterations and new fittings to make a suitable venue for a
large music school.
Work on this project will begin in four months and shortly our two
visiting architects will brief you all on the layout and functional areas of
the building. And as time goes on they will be happy to answer any questions
and accept your suggestions regarding their plans.
However, before I turn the meeting over to them it is the wish of the
committee that you, Captain Bernard Sarrette, shall act as the Director and
Chief Administrator of the new
Conservatoire
. Should you accept this
offer, you and our two great composers, Monsieurs Goosec and Cherubini who are
here today, together with our conductor, Catel, will join one another to begin
detailed planning of the music faculty.
Feel free to seek advice from other musical colleagues as well. The
music program must encompass all aspects of the musical art of theory and
performance as it is taught through composition, conducting, singing,
woodwinds, brass, percussion as well as keyboard studies for the harpsichord
and fortepiano.
Please begin this undertaking as soon as possible and meet with the
committee monthly. If you accept this great challenge, your contracts will be
made available in the very near future.
Gentlemen, do join us in this exciting new venture. And now may I
invite the architects to make their presentation.’
After the meeting concluded, Bernard Sarrette and his colleagues were
astonished, exhilarated and filled with enthusiasm for this new venture. A new
Conservatoire
Nationale de Musique
- what a challenge!
As they exchanged ideas far into the night over dinner and wine in a
nearby café, all reached agreement on the one outstanding person who should be
the Professor of the Harpsichord and Fortepiano.
Sarrette spoke first. ‘I wish to suggest Laneve, the Marquise de
Marais.’
Gossec replied, ‘I have attended her concerts with Viotti and she is
the finest keyboard performer in Paris.’
‘You all know that Viotti shares my house with me,’ Cherubini
interjected. ‘I have heard her perform on many occasions and her ability to
improvise music at sight is a phenomenon.’
‘It appears that she possesses all the necessary qualifications gained
from her study with Dussek, Hullmandel and Clementi,’ remarked Catel, nodding
and smiling toward Dussek. And so it was decided. The name of Laneve, the
Marquise de Marais, was the first choice of all. She should occupy the position
of
Professeur de Premiere Classe.
Mid October of 1789 held all the mellow warmth of late autumn. Laneve
and Malande strolled through the gardens of the chateau as they gathered the
last of the late summer blooms. Asters in deep tones of russet and gold filled
their baskets.
‘Malande, these will look so beautiful arranged with your few late
blooming white roses. You know how much Rene enjoys the flowers we bring into
our dining room. And tell me, does Daniel, our stable boy, bring you any news
of the unrest in Paris?’
‘Daniel’s brother, who lives in Paris, has just stopped by to
visit him. I always make sure that he has plenty to eat when he comes as
Edouard has grown very thin.
Daniel tells me that there is such a shortage of bread and it costs so
much to buy, many of the poor now don’t have any bread to eat. Edouard says
that a wage for a day’s work is 7 sous and 4 deniers of which 2 sous and 6
deniers will only buy one loaf of bread. Just the other day a crowd
dragged a baker from his shop and killed him because he had overcharged them
for his bread. Paris is filled with terrible stories.’
‘I fear for the people of France - for all of us,’ Laneve retorted. At
that moment the hoof beats of two horses reached their ears. As the two women
reached the roadway they glimpsed the back of Dunod, the Count de Charnade and
another rider galloping into the courtyard entry.
‘Every time Dunod comes to visit us he brings another piece of
terrible news. Come, Malande, let’s hurry back to hear him. With his arrival at
such a full gallop something must be very important.’
Entering the chateau and placing their flowers in a vase of water a
housemaid appeared. ‘Madame your presence is requested immediately in the
drawing room.’
Moments later Laneve smoothed her hair, took a deep breath and entered.
Rene stood with his back to her addressing the count and his escort. A servant
placed four chairs near the large windows. After they all took their seats she
felt an uneasy feeling pass through the room as Dunod related his story.
‘On October 5
th
rumours spread through Paris that the king
and queen were hoarding all the grain. Incited by the revolutionaries, a mob of
6,000 men and women, wielding knives and axes decided to march on the Palace of
Versailles. Luckily a young courtier, the Duc de Fronsac, heard of these plans.
He ran from Paris through the woods to the palace to warn the king and queen of
the crowd’s intentions.
As Marie Antoinette was the object of the crowd’s rage, she decided to
sleep alone in her bedchamber that night. Marie Antoinette also gave an order
to the royal children’s governess, the Marquise de Tourzel, to take the
children straight to the king if there were any disturbances.
In the early hours of the morning the angry crowd broke into the
palace. The queen, together with two of her ladies-in-waiting narrowly escaped
through a secret passageway before the doors were broken down. The crowd surged
into her royal bedchamber and completely ransacked it.
By now the royal children, the queen and several guards had reached the
king’s chamber and the doors were locked. A large crowd gathered in the
courtyard demanding that she come out on the balcony. Marie Antoinette appeared
in her night gown and robe, accompanied by her children. The crowd cried out
for the children to be sent back inside. Then the queen stood bravely, all
alone for nearly ten minutes, while muskets were pointed at her. She bowed her
head and stepped back. Once inside she collapsed.