Francesco Petrini

Francesco Petrini (1744–1819) was a harpist and composer.

Petrini, whose father was harpist of the chapel royal in Berlin, became famous in Paris for his compositions Variations and Concerto for harp in E flat major. Much of his work remains part of the standard harp repertoire today.

Career

In 1765 Petrini was harper to the court of Mecklenburg Schwerin, from where he moved to Paris. In Paris he instructed many musicians, including Hinner, Marie Antoinette's harp master.

Through the patronage of the princess de Lamballe he was able to publish his works, by monthly subscription, between 1779 and 1780. A second edition, also dedicated to de Lamballe, was published in 1783. In 1795 he published a Systeme de l'Harmonie for harp.

Additional information

• Fétis, François-Joseph (1865) Biographie universelle des musiciens et bibliographie génèrale de la musique, Vol. 7, page 18-19, Librairie De Firmin Didot Freres. (French language) Accessed August 2019.