Pierre-Joseph Bernard

Pierre-Joseph Bernard (1708–1775), also known by the nickname Gentil-Bernard, was a French poet and librettist celebrated for his refined, elegant verse and contributions to 18th-century French opera. Born on August 26, 1708, in Grenoble, France, Bernard was educated at a Jesuit college and later served in the military before turning to literary pursuits. He quickly gained favor in the sophisticated salons of Paris, where his wit, charm, and lyrical talent made him a favorite of the aristocracy and earned him a lasting place in the French literary canon.

Bernard is best known today as the librettist for several operas by composer Jean-Philippe Rameau, one of the leading figures of French Baroque music. Their most notable collaboration was the opera Castor et Pollux (1737), for which Bernard wrote the libretto. This work, inspired by classical mythology, was praised for its poetic elegance and dramatic structure, helping to elevate the art of French opera. Bernard also wrote libretti for other Rameau operas, including Les surprises de l’Amour (1748) and Anacréon (1754), contributing to the artistic success of Rameau’s later career.

Aside from his operatic work, Bernard gained widespread acclaim for his erotic and romantic poetry, which exemplified the light, sensual style favored during the reign of Louis XV. His poetic works were characterized by their delicacy, fluidity, and graceful language, earning him the affectionate nickname Gentil-Bernard from none other than Voltaire. Though never a member of the Académie Française, Bernard was widely admired by contemporaries and held in high regard by the literary elite of the Enlightenment era.

Bernard served for many years as secretary to the Prince de Conti, a powerful patron of the arts, which gave him the freedom and resources to focus on his writing. Despite his success, Bernard led a relatively quiet and private life. In his later years, he withdrew from public society, and his literary output declined. Nevertheless, his earlier work continued to be reprinted and celebrated for its grace and stylistic purity.

Pierre-Joseph Bernard died on November 1, 1775, in Choisy-le-Roi. Though his reputation faded somewhat in the 19th century, modern scholars and music historians continue to appreciate his role in shaping the French operatic tradition. As both a poet and librettist, Bernard’s contributions reflect the elegance, sensuality, and classical inspiration that defined the cultural aesthetic of 18th-century France.