Virginie MOREL

Virginie Morel, baronne du Verger.

Born out of wedlock in Metz, Virginie Morel taught herself piano and, from the age of twelve, played ‘the piano remarkably well’ (Biographie universelle des musiciens), if we are to go by the sparse biographical details that exist about her. Encouraged by admirers to try her luck in Paris, she entered the Paris Conservatoire in July 1813 and rapidly attracted attention. Inspecting the student for the first time, Méhul noted: ‘She has the greatest potential to become a leading pianist.’ Morel confirmed this by winning the Premier Prix in piano the following year, then by becoming the accompanist in Louis Adam’s class in 1814 and 1815. She completed her education by taking private lessons with Reicha (in harmony), Clementi and Hummel. During the Restoration, she obtained a position with the Duchesse du Berry – to whom she gave piano lessons – and published her first works, including the Trois Duettini pour piano et violon dedicated to the Duchess. Her marriage, arranged by her patron in 1829 (with a dowry of 100,000 francs), took her away from musical life in Paris for quite some time: chief of staff in the Armée d’Afrique, her husband Leroy – who was granted the title of Baron du Verger by the court – took her to Algiers for some ten years before ending his military career in the Var département. Pensioned off in 1847, he retired with his wife to his family chateau, in Seiches (near Angers). Here Virginie Morel continued to teach and compose, mainly producing works for her own instrument (including waltzes and eight melodic studies).