Bernard, Pierre Joseph
(1710–1775)> LIBRETTIST
Bernard, Pierre Joseph (1710, Grenoble; 1 November 1775, Paris), librettist, came to be known as Gentil-Bernard because Voltaire sent him an invitation one day to dine at the home of Mme de la Vallière, and he addressed him as “Gentil Bernard” in this missive. After studying with the Jesuits in Lyon, Bernard came to Paris and entered the household of the marshal de Coigny as a secretary. The elder de Coigny imposed restrictions upon his activities and forbade him to write verse, but his…