apprentice printer. But I’ve been working entirely for myself ever
since 1697!’ he concludes with pride.
‘And how does a Frenchman come to live in Amsterdam?’
pursues Antonio.
‘Good question! Like many of my fellow countrymen, I was
forced out of my land when our king more or less outlawed the
Protestants. The choice was simple: convert to Catholicism or die.’
‘Good Lord!,’ exclaims Antonio in consternation. ‘So you
escaped execution by the skin of your teeth!’
‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that,’ says the Frenchman with
restraint. ‘I was just twenty at the time and the circumstances
provided me with an excuse to go and try my luck elsewhere. I
already knew at that age that I did not want to spend my whole life
in Caen, and now I am much happier in Amsterdam. Life is so
much simpler there and it’s unbelievable how open-hearted the
Amsterdammers have been in their welcome. I think by now about
a quarter of the inhabitants of Amsterdam must be French
Huguenots, and I know not many of us wish ourselves back in
France. But enough of myself.’ And feeling instinctively that doing
business with the father will be more complicated than with the
son, he directs his gaze straight at Antonio. ‘I should like to talk
more to you about your new compositions.’

Estienne’s intuition has not misled him. Giambattista is thinking
things could turn out quite nicely. At least, if he plays his cards
right. He gives his son a look that conveys exactly where the
initiative belongs and that from now on Antonio must hold his
tongue. ‘Well now, Monsieur Roger, my thanks for your visit and for
your interest in my son’s work. You will understand that in the
wake of his last publication he has become much sought after. You
have heard him play, so I don’t need to tell you what a virtuoso he is.
And as for his new work, well, how should I put it…? Let’s just say
there is a certain amount of interest in Opus III, and although we
have not yet decided which publisher we shall entrust it to, we do
have our preferences.’
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