Paris

During the nineteenth century, the French capital became the most important artistic centre in Europe. Grieg visited Paris many times, and his music was very popular there. His String Quartet in G minor was the first work by a foreign composer to be played at the Société Nationale de Musique, established to popularise new French music.

Grieg became involved in the Dreyfus Affair (1894–1906). He cancelled a number of concerts and did not visit Paris for a number of years; he also received threatening letters. For some time, he lost the goodwill of the conservative French elite and the people of power. When he eventually reappeared, in 1903, the public’s reaction was diametrically different. Fortunately, most people received him enthusiastically, and so he conquered Paris for a second time.