Gounod On The Staging Of His Greatest Opera, "faust" Auction
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Gounod on the Staging of His Greatest Opera, "Faust"
Gounod on the Staging of His Greatest Opera, "Faust"
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GOUNOD, CHARLES. (1818-1893). French composer. ALS. (“Ch. Gounod”). 3pp. 12mo. N.p., N.d. [Circa 1860s]. To Mr. Georges. In French with translation.

“We all share wholeheartedly in the event that makes you so happy, and we had heard about it already in a note that your charming Alice sent us. I hope that you will kindly speak about me to Mrs. Georges as someone who truly loves you.

I do not know what to answer you about Faust: Choudens, whom I am entrusting this message, will write to you about this. All I can say is that I do not believe that I have the power nor the obligation to sacrifice anything. Faust was staged (everywhere I was given this honor) with great pomp and generosity: Lyon cannot do less or should do nothing at all. May I add that so far, Mr. Delestang has not shown me such musical confidence that I should consider myself very flattered and very proud to accompany his exit from the stage – one needs what is needed, that is all I know -

Warm regards from us all to you and your dear daughters, and my respects to Madam Georges...”

Gounod’s early love of sacred music inspired him to pursue a religious vocation, but soon after entering a Carmelite monastery in 1847 to prepare for the priesthood, Gounod left his studies and turned away from composing church music to seek fame and fortune in opera. He completed his first opera, Sapho, in 1850 and nine years later Gounod secured his place in the history of French music with his popular opera Faust based on Goethe’s play. Following its 1859 Paris premiere, Antoine de Choudens’ (1825-1888) firm published Faust. His company also published works by Gounod’s teacher, Hector Berlioz, and Gounod’s student, Georges Bizet. Though Gounod continued to write operas, oratorios, masses and other works, none of his later compositions rivaled the popularity of Faust. Our letter indicates that Gounod was not pleased with a proposed or an upcoming performance of the opera in Lyon at Le Grand Théâtre, then under the direction of Mederic Delestang (1811-1893).

Written on the first three pages of a folded sheet and in very fine condition.
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Gounod on the Staging of His Greatest Opera, "Faust"

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