On this date, July 30, in 1792 Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle’s song “Chant de guerre pour l’Armée du Rhine” (English: “War Song for the Army of the Rhine”) was first sung in Paris. The French National Convention adopted it as the Republic’s anthem in 1795. The name of the song became “La Marseillaise“ because it was first sung on the streets by volunteers from Marseille.
Hector Berlioz arranged “La Marseillaise” for soprano, chorus and orchestra around 1830. Click here to listen to an audio file of his arrangement.
Lovely — I wish ours was that beautiful, rather than an old drinking song!
I agree.
😎