GOUNOD Charles (1818-1893)

Lot 63
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Estimation :
1000 - 1200 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 1 581EUR
GOUNOD Charles (1818-1893)
L.A.S. "Ch. Gounod", Courtavenel July 15, 1850, to Ivan TOURGUENIEV; 6 pages in-8, dry stamp of the Collection Viardot. Very beautiful and long letter to Tourgueniev, on his opera Sapho (which will be premiered at the Opera on April 16, 1851, with Pauline VIARDOT in the title role). Since his departure, he waited impatiently for his friend's letters, but put his silence on the account of the length and the encumbrances of the journey: "Besides, I am not without news from you since Madame VIARDOT has already given me some twice", from Berlin and Stettin, and that she was expecting some from Saint Petersburg: "It is a preference of which I will never be jealous"... Everybody misses Turgenev in Courtavenel, where life goes on: "we don't disturb the peace of the place by yelling at the people of Courtavenel". Only the old dog Sultan, distraught by the heat of Flora, disturbs this peace: "he persists even though Flora has told him a hundred times, with her paws and teeth, that she does not agree with his wishes; even though Zephyr, the legitimate and vengeful husband, has also told him so", the dog is out of control, "in his venereal rage", howls all night and causes a lot of damage: "Nothing stops him; he is like an impetuous torrent"... Sapho advances, and Gounod has completely reviewed and corrected with Émile AUGIER the second act, of which he has already composed the most important pieces: "first the 4 main ideas of the last tableau - then the drinking song of Pythéas: "ô large Amphora" - then the Duo of the Tablets with Glycère - then finally the Oath of the Conspirators at the end of the Banquet. I think that all this is worth at least the first act, if not better". But he misses Turgenev's judgment: "Where is he that happy time when I was not so long in uncertainty after doing a piece!" Massol has been hired for the role of Alcée, or Pythéas; Mrs. Laborde will play the role of Glycère. At the moment he is looking for "t
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