Ritual, Secrecy and Civil Society Volume 1, Number 1, Spring 2013 | Page 37

Musical Cosmopolitanism in Paris 1779 – 1792
Southern Schools permanently enriches the French School , and infuses the late eighteenth century ' s French mode with local and national styles .
This model of “ men on the move ” appears to approach its full manifestation during the reign of Louis XVI . And since outsider contributions to French music continue to be an object of study , it is also necessary to examine the flow of French musicians to Europe , and to a lesser extent to North America . 96
Foreign Musicians in the Lodges Every foreign traveler arriving in Paris has a copy of the Parisian Almanac for the Benefit of Foreigners and Curious Persons [ l ’ Almanach parisien en faveur des étrangers et des personnes curieuses ] 97 and sometimes The Amateurs ' and Foreign Travelers ' Guide to Paris [ Guide des amateurs et des étrangers voyageurs à Paris ] 98 ; the author does not hesitate to offer a list of real lodges to visit . There is something reassuring about this guide for the foreigner who comes to Paris ; it gives him hope of quickly integrating into the world of Freemusicians and rapidly finding a place in a web of connections and solidarity . But how to measure the foreign presence in Paris ' s workshops ? This is a difficult task to carry out ; mistakes are always possible . The Order advises its members to practice discretion and restraint . Thiery is the first guide author to draw up a “ selection ” of Parisian lodges worthy of retaining the travelers ’ attention ; and he is the first to share Masonic Paris ’ s geographic building blocks . Let us note in passing that Thiery ' s guide only points out upper-crust lodges , which are expanding their involvement in the realm of profane sociability through benevolent activities , concerts , and balls . Here we find the lodges Les Amis Réunis , Saint-Jean d ' Ecosse du Contrat Social , La Candeur , 99 or Thalie ; in total , he only mentions around 15 lodges . But the advantage of this guide is that the author provides essential information to the foreigner who is passing through . First of all of a practical sort : How does a person gain access to Paris ' s lodges ? How much does it cost ? What are their cultural offerings — a cabinet of curiosities , libraries , music rooms , perhaps a dining room , too ? He then gives information on aesthetic issues , and we see his readership ' s elitist qualities . He tries to describe the architecture and decoration of the most remarkable temples and evoke the atmosphere of the meetings held there . Does he unveil Masonic secrets ? No , he stops at giving a description of a social club . For example , let ' s consider his description of the prestigious lodge Les Amis Réunis . Before becoming “ a mystic , European-class lodge ,” 100 ( here we return to the lodges ' bylaws themselves ), “ Les Amis Réunis wanted to form a society of friends similar to the clubs of England .” 101 And this is Thiery ' s account : “ The brand-new building is a charming Freemasons ' lodge , tastefully decorated ; at the front is a banquet hall with room for 80
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 96 Marcel Fournier , Les Français au Québec , 1765 – 1865 ( Sillery ( Québec ): Ed . du Septentrion ;
Paris : Ed . Christian , 1995 ), 386 p . 97 Daniel Roche , Almanach parisien en faveur des étrangers et des personnes curieuses ( Saint-
Etienne : Société Française d ’ Etudes du XVIIIe siècle , Lire le XVIIIe siècle , Publications de l ’ Université de Saint-Etienne , 2001 ), 176 p . 98 Luc-Vincent Thiery , Guide des amateurs et des étrangers voyageurs à Paris ou description
raisonnée de cette Ville , de sa Banlieue et de tout ce qu ’ elles contiennent de remarquables ( Paris : Hardouin et Gattey , 1787 ), 2 vol ., 784 and 739 p . 99 A . N . AB / XIX / 5000 , Livre d ’ architecture de la Loge la Candeur à l ’ Orient de Paris . Acquired by
France ' s Archives Nationales in 1994 , still unpublished . 100 Charles Porset , Les Philalèthes et les Convents de Paris , Une politique de la folie ( Paris : H . Champion , 1996 ), 776 p . 101 A . N . 177 / AP / 1 , papiers Taillepied de Bondy , dossier 1 , Livre d ’ or des maîtres à tous les grades de la Respectable Loge des Amis Réunis à l ’ orient de Paris .
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