French and not German. If that sort of descriptive orchestral writing which is called the 'music of Nature' is typically Romantic, we shall find that in Méhul too, at any rate as far as storms are concerned. As a Frenchman, he is concerned primarily with human beings and human feelings. The conception of man as the helpless victim of the invisible forces of nature, of man as something less than nature, was impossible for him, at any rate at this stage of his career." Recordings The overture appears on: Méhul Overtures, Orchestre de Bretagne, conducted by Stefan Sanderling (ASV, 2002) Catalogue number CD DCA 1140. References Sources Adélaïde de Place Étienne Nicolas Méhul (Bleu Nuit Éditeur, 2005) The Viking Opera Guide, ed. Amanda Holden (Viking, 1993) Edward Joseph Dent The Rise of Romantic Opera (Cambridge University Press, 1979 edition) Winton Dean, chapter on French opera in Gerald Abraham (ed.) The New Oxford History of Music Volume 8: The Age of Beethoven 1790-1830 (Oxford University Press, 1988) Elizabeth Bartlet, entry on Méhul in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians Hector Berlioz, Evenings with the Orchestra, translated by Jacques Barzun (University of Chicago Press, 1973; 1999 reprint) Libretto in French: Mélidore et Phrosine; drame lyrique en 3 actes. Paroles du citoyen Arnault. Musique du citoyen Méhul], Paris, Maradan, 1794 (l'an second de la republique) Original printed score: Mélidore et Phrosine, Drame lyrique en trois actes, Paroles du Citoyen Arnault, Représenté pour la première fois sur le Théâtre Lyrique de la rue Favart, le 17 Germinal, l'An second de la République Française, Mis en Musique Par le Citoyen Mehul'', Paris, Huguet, 1794 (accessible for free online at [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b525032078/f5.item# Gallica – B.N.F.) Operas by Étienne Méhul 1794 operas Opéras comiques Operas Opera world premieres at the Opéra-Comique