There are many works on Grétry (1741–1813), and the extraordinary popularity of this person and his work justifies the constant enthusiasm he has inspired for more than two centuries: the man seems familiar to us, as do the titles of his comic operas, which are too rarely performed in our theatres. However, the literature on this subject can often seem disparate and incomplete, and much remains to be done to achieve a better knowledge of this extraordinary composer. This little book attempts to take stock of the "world of Grétry", his successes, the place he occupied in the society of his time: we see him in the society of painters and sculptors, in the salons that matter, where he frequented men of letters, scholars and artists. We admire his ability to choose the dedicatees of his works, his interest in poetry and in particular the verses of the great Racine whom he venerated. His fame is reflected in the countless arrangements that great and small masters, in France and abroad, made of his ariettas and symphonies. Late in life, this man sought out another path in philosophy (perhaps out of admiration for Rousseau), desiring to bequeath to future generations, and especially to the youth he loved so much, his "passionate love of music".

Comparative studies by historians of art, literature and music, this book was produced with the help of Hervé Audéon, Carole Blumenfeld, David Charlton, David Hennebelle, Buford Norman, Thomas Vernet and Jean Duron.

The book contains 47 illustrations, 21 of which are in colour.