The quality of the vocal writing in Scylla et Glaucus came as a surprise to many, given that Leclair was much better known for composing instrumental music, and therefore had little experience in opera. By the time the Scylla was performed in 1746., Leclair was already known for his forty-eight violin sonatas, his trios, and his concertos. He received much of his musical training in Italy, where he was exposed to the influence of Pietro Locatelli and other Italian composers of the time. This is why the writing of Scylla, while remaining recognizably in French, is full of italianisms. However, while the form of the opera have been old-fashioned, the music was not.
