Nigel Simeone’s Paris: A Musical Gazetteer published by Yale University Press is an attractive example of the increasing number of specialist guidebooks to major cities for visitors with interests in a particular topic or activity. However, beware a slightly misleading title in this case. Simeone’s focus is very much on classical music within a time period of the last 400 years. Unfortunately there is virtually no mention of other musical forms such as jazz or rock while popular figures such as Maurice Chevalier and Edith Piaf do not appear other than as street names.
Within the classical context, the work contains information on libraries, museums, galleries, orchestras, churches, theatres, concert venues, institutes, music publishers, instrument makers as well as the homes, meeting places, monuments and graves of French and international musicians who spent a prolonged period in the city. Typical entries include Eric Satie, Giuseppe Verde, the Madeleine, Opéra, Musée Maurice Ravel and Père Lachaise cemetery. However, Pierre Boulez does deserve an entry in the chapter on musicians and perhaps, the chapter on libraries and museums ought to have mentioned the Médiatheque Hector Berlioz and the Bibliothèque Musicale Gustav Mahler with their interesting collections. The gazetteer contains a brief history, a useful bibliography and suggestions for four walking tours. Emphasis is given to historic locations as opposed to current venues.
The text is supported by over 120 illustrations, including many reproductions of older material such as publicity, programmes and drawings. Among these are the fine caricatures by Léandre of Edouard Colonne and Charles Lamoureux. Unfortunately, some illustrations are rather dull or unnecessarily cramped. Many of the modern photographs have been taken from too far away, rendering the detail too small or dark. One of the worst photographs is on page 87, in which a Range Rover blocks the view of 13 rue du Mail. An obscured photograph is of little help to the visitor. Nevertheless, Simeone’s knowledge and enthusiasm for his subject result in a book worthy of a place in relevant libraries.
