Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/B/Bernier, Nicolas

by John Weeks Moore

Bernier, Nicolas, was born in the year 1661 at Mantes. on the Seine. By his merit in his profession, he attained to be conductor of the music at the Chapel of St. Stephen, and after-wards at that of the King of France. The regent Duke of Orleans admired his works, and patronized their author. This musician died at Paris in 1734. His five books of cantatas, and songs for one and two voices, the words of which were written by Rousseau and Fuselier, have procured him great reputation. There are, besides, of his composition, "Les Nuits de Sceaux," and many motets, which arc still in great esteem. Bernier was a pupil of Caldera, and is regarded by M. De la Borne as one of the greatest contrapuntists and fuguists that ever existed.