GRIMM FRIEDRICH MELCHIOR: (1723-1807) Baron von Grimm. German-born French Diplomat, Journalist and art Critic. An important contributor to the Encyclopedie raisonné des Sciences, author of Poeme Lyrique and a close friend of Rousseau. Grim created a literary newsletter with various German sovereigns, the Correspondance littéraire, philosophique et critique. Grimm counted among his subscribers Catherine II of Russia, Leopold II Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick the Great or Stanislas Poniatowski. D.S., `Grimm´, one page, vellum, oblong 4to, Paris, 4<sup>th</sup> January 1782, in French. The partially printed document being a receipt, numbered, and entitled "Perpetual Annuities", and stating in part `I acknowledge having received from Mr. Loiseau de Berenger, General Treasurer of Monseigneur the Duke of Orleans, the sum of two thousand five hundred Pounds, ….according to the perpetual annuity agreed by contract with H.S.H…´ Two extremely small holes not affecting the signature, otherwise G

 

Mozart's first visit to Paris took place in 1763-64. All the many letters of recommendation carried by Leopold proved ineffectual, except the one to Melchior Grimm, which led to an effective connection. Grimm published a highly supportive article in his Correspondance Littéraire in 1763, to facilitate Leopold Mozart´s entrée into Parisian high society and musical circles. Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, the son of Grimm's employer, helped Mozart to perform in Versailles, where they stayed for two weeks. Mozart returned to Paris in 1766, where again, they were helped, guided, and mentored by Grimm who wrote a very flattering letter in his Correspondance Littéraire, stating and predicting the future operatic success of the young composer "He has even written several Italian arias, and I have little doubt that before he has reached the age of twelve, he will already have had an opera performed at some Italian theatre."