Details
MASSENET, Jules (1842-1912). Three autograph letters signed, one to Victor Maurel, Paris, n.d., and two to unidentified friends, Paris, 31 January 1895 and n.p., n.d., black ink, together 8 pages
Victor Maurel (1848-1923) was one of the greatest French baritones of his time and was the first Iago and first Falstaff. In this telegram letter Massenet asks about rehearsal times and instructs Maurel to write to him chez Hartmann, éditeur, 20 rue Daunou. Georges Hartmann was the leading Paris music publisher of the day. Among his first publications was Massenet's Poème d'Avril of 1866, which led to one of the closest and most rewarding relationships between composer and publisher.
The letter of 31 January 1895 is headed Paris...il neige... and goes on to say that he has given le Monsieur de Bordeaux his correspondent's address so that he can be sent un poème d'opéra. Massenet writes that despite the weather the Paris theatres are fairly full and that Manon and Thaïs are being performed ce soir demain & Samedi - bizarre!!!. He closes with his travel plans to visit Brussels and Belgium for performances of Thaïs, La navarraise & Le roi de Lahore.
The third letter is charming and spontaneous, and opens Pas de Chance!, referring to opportunities of meeting, and ironically comments on mes debauches musicales dans le GRWand [sic] Monde. (3)
Victor Maurel (1848-1923) was one of the greatest French baritones of his time and was the first Iago and first Falstaff. In this telegram letter Massenet asks about rehearsal times and instructs Maurel to write to him chez Hartmann, éditeur, 20 rue Daunou. Georges Hartmann was the leading Paris music publisher of the day. Among his first publications was Massenet's Poème d'Avril of 1866, which led to one of the closest and most rewarding relationships between composer and publisher.
The letter of 31 January 1895 is headed Paris...il neige... and goes on to say that he has given le Monsieur de Bordeaux his correspondent's address so that he can be sent un poème d'opéra. Massenet writes that despite the weather the Paris theatres are fairly full and that Manon and Thaïs are being performed ce soir demain & Samedi - bizarre!!!. He closes with his travel plans to visit Brussels and Belgium for performances of Thaïs, La navarraise & Le roi de Lahore.
The third letter is charming and spontaneous, and opens Pas de Chance!, referring to opportunities of meeting, and ironically comments on mes debauches musicales dans le GRWand [sic] Monde. (3)
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