Nicolas Bernier (sometimes Bernice, 1664/65 - 1734) was a composer and harpsichordist of the French Baroque.
He received his musical training first in his hometown of Mantes and at Evreux Cathedral, later in Italy. (1)
In a contest for the maître de chapelle (chapel master) position at Rouen Cathedral, Jean-François Lalouette, Lully's student and secretary, wins out.
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| Cathedral in Mantes |
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| Evreux Cathedral |
For a while he teaches harpsichord in Paris where his talents are quickly recognized by members of the French aristocracy. He would enjoy support from the royal court throughout his life.
In a contest for the maître de chapelle (chapel master) position at Rouen Cathedral, Jean-François Lalouette, Lully's student and secretary, wins out.
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| Chartres Cathedral |
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| Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois Paris |
This setback is quickly forgotten when he takes on the leadership of the Choirboys at Chartres Cathedral (1694) and at the Church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois in Paris (1698).
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| Castle of Fontainebleau |
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| Sainte-Chapelle Paris |
One of his Te Deums is played for the King in Fontainebleau (1700).
In 1705 he succeeds Marc-Antoine Charpentier as Music Teacher at the Sainte-Chapelle.
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| Castle of Sceaux |
In 1715 he participates in the Grandes Nuits de Sceaux (Great Nights at Sceaux), a series of festivities and entertainments for the Duchess of Maine, daughter-in-law of Louis XIV and a legendary insomniac. (3)
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| Royal Chapel Versailles |
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| Saint-Jean-Le-Rond Church Paris |
From 1723 on he teaches at the Chapelle Royale at Versailles.
He was buried at the Eglise Saint-Jean-Le-Rond (the Round Church of St. John The Baptist). (4)
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(1) Bernier's studies in Italy are mentioned in the 1773 edition of L'Etat Actuel de la Musique du Roi (Current Status of the King's Music). Many sources have Bernier studying with Antonio Caldara in Rome. Bernier's Italian Wikipedia page mentions in an unsourced footnote which is too good to pass up, that Bernier found no other way to be introduced to Caldara than to take a servant's job in the composer's household. 'One day, having found an unfinished song on the table of his master, Bernier grabbed a pen and completed it. This event, it is said, gave birth to a great friendship between the two.'Antonio Caldara (1670 - 1736) was at least five years younger than Bernier. He was born and raised in Venice and may have studied with Legrenzi. He did travel to Rome in the late 1690s and worked there in the early 18th century. Bernier was already composing "French Cantatas" inspired by Italy around 1700. Whatever the case may be, Bernier would become one of the French composers who best assimilated the Italian style.
(2)Bernier's French Wikipedia page here enters into a somewhat lengthy explanation of the conditions under which Bernier was allowed to marry and wear religious habit at the same time. In 1712 he married Marie-Catherine Marais, daughter of Marin Marais. Bernier probably knew the family well as they lived in the Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois parish.
(3) John Greene, "Nicolas Bernier: Les Nuits de Sceaux." CD Review, Classics Today website. (http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-10891/ (05/31/2014))
(4) The 'Round' St. John The Baptist Church was the small church building adjacent and--as seen in the picture--dwarfed by the Notre Dame Cathedral, used for baptisms and church services until its destruction in 1748. It had a small cemetery.