A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Trial, Jean
TRIAL, Jean Claude, French composer, bora at Avignon, Dec. 13, 1732, was educated at the Maitrise, and early studied the violin, for which his first compositions were intended. Settling in Paris he became intimate with Rameau, and was taken up by the Prince de Conti, who made him conductor of his own music, and procured him the joint-directorship with Berton of the Opéra (1767). He composed 'Esope à Cythere' (1766), and 'La Fête de Flore' (1771), each in one act, and with Berton 'Sylvie,' 3 acts (1766), and 'Théonis,' 1 act (1767); also short overtures, orchestral divertissements, cantatas, and the music for 'La Chercheuse d'esprit.' He died of apoplexy June 23, 1771. His brother,
Antoine, his junior by four years, was also born at Avignon, and educated at the Maitrise, but forsook ecclesiastical plainsong for stage ariettas. Having appeared with success as a comedy-tenor in several provincial towns, he went to Paris in 1764, and there quickly rose into favour as a singer of considerable musical attainments, and an actor possessing real wit and originality. For 30 years composers eagerly vied with each other in writing parts for him, and he left permanent traces at the Opéra Comique, where the comedy-tenor part is still called by his name. Like Dugazon, Antoine Trial embraced with fervour the doctrines of the Revolution, and on the fall of Robespierre was constrained by the mob to atone for his previous exploits by singing the 'Réveil du Peuple' on his knees. Forced to give up his post in the municipality, and subjected to many cruel humiliations, his mind gave way, and he poisoned himself Feb. 5, 1795. His wife, Marie Jeanne Milon, sang under the name of Mme. Mandeville, and having a voice of remarkable compass and flexibility, brought into fashion airs full of roulades and vocalises. Their son,
Armand Emmanuel, born in Paris, March 1, 1771, began early to compose, and produced at the Comédie Italienne 'Julien et Colette' (1788), 'Adelaïde et Mirval' (1791); 'Les deux petits Aveugles,' and 'Le Siége de Lille' (1792); 'La Cause et les Effets, ou le Réveil du Peuple en 1789' (1793), besides taking part in the celebrated revolutionary piece 'Le Congrès des Rois.' A first-rate accompanyist, Armand Trial might have made both name and money, but though he married Jeanne Méon, a charming artist at the Théâtre Favart, he plunged into dissipation, and died in Paris, from its effects, Sept. 9, 1803.