OFFENBACH Jacques (1819 - 1880)

Lot 145
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Estimation :
15000 - 20000 EUR
OFFENBACH Jacques (1819 - 1880)
autograph musical manuscript signed "J. Offenbach", Fleurette, [1872]; 93 oblong pages (ca. 27 x 35.5 cm). Orchestral score for the Viennese performances of the German operetta Fleurette. For the Viennese audience Offenbach composed the German operetta Fleurette oder Näherin und Trompeter (Fleurette or Seamstress and Trumpet) [A 573], a "komische Operette" in one act, with a French libretto by Pittaud de Forges and Laurencin, adapted and translated into German by Julius Hopp and F. Zell. Zell, premiered at the Carltheater in Vienna on March 8, 1872, with Mila Roeder in the title role, alongside Karl Blasel and Josef Matras; it was to have about twenty performances. The score (in its voice-piano version) was then published in Vienna by Spina, in German (Fleurette oder Näherin und Trompeter), and in French only in 1891, by Choudens (Fleurette); the orchestral score was not published. Fleurette was never performed in France during the composer's lifetime. Jean-Claude Yon, in his indispensable work on Offenbach (Gallimard, 2000), summarizes the operetta as follows: "The action is set in a garret of the Palace of Versailles in 1758. The French libretto places the action in the attic of the Château de Choisy, where the young Fleurette Coquenjoie, first maid to Madame Flamboyant, the dressmaker of the Court, has been brought by force in order to alter the costume that Madame d'Étoiles is to wear that very evening to play the role of the drummer Laramée in Vadé's Les Racoleurs, during a performance that is to be given before Louis XV. Théophile Binet [Nicodeme, in the German version], the janitor of the castle, is charged with watching over the work of the pretty seamstress. But she is soon joined by her lover, Jolicœur, a trumpeter with the Musketeers. An abundant meal taken alone prevents Fleurette from finishing her work. The young woman, who has put on the costume, pretends to be a drummer when Binet returns to get the garment. Because of her tardiness, the performance had to be cancelled. But instead of the announced punishment, the seamstress is given fifty louis by the Duchess of Châteauroux. The king's mistress is indeed delighted to have taken away from Mme d'Étoiles the opportunity to try to seduce the king. Thanks to this money which will be used as dowry, Fleurette decides to marry Jolicœur the next day. Binet will be her best man!" The piece is written for three singers: Fleurette (soprano), Jolicœur (tenor) and Binet, in German Nicodeme (trial). The orchestra includes: flute and piccolo, oboe, clarinet, horns, bassoons, piston, trombones, timpani, drum, bass drum, violins I and II, violas, cello, double bass. The orchestral manuscript is written in brown ink on 24-line oblong Lard-Esnault paper bifeuillets, filed in folders (bifeuillets of music paper). It does not include the Ouverture. According to his habit, Offenbach first noted the vocal line, with the piano accompaniment, and then completed the various parts of the orchestra. The lyrics, in German, were sometimes revised by another hand. There are numerous erasures and corrections, with some pen-and-ink sketches in the margins. The score includes the following numbers: 1. Nicodeme: "Nicht nur die goldene Jugend kennet den Liebesschmerz", in F major (4 p., plus 1 and a half instrumental pages). 2. Fleurette : "Wie bewegt vom Zephirwinden pocht der Herz mir der Brust", in A flat major (8 p. ). 3. Fleurette : "Aber was soll das Träumen ich darf mit Arbeit nicht säumen", in E major, leading to the aria in G major : "Was ist das Ach was hör' ich ?" (16 p.), in a folder signed "J. Offenbach" gathering nos 1-2 and 3. 4. Duo by Fleurette and Jolicœur: "Mir ist zu Muth gar jämmerlich", in E flat major (28 p.) [with the amusing "air du Menu"]. 5.[Couplets] Jolicœur, Nicodeme: "Ich bin die kleiner Näherin", in G major (4 p). 6 [Trio] Fleurette, Nicodeme and Jolicœur: "Halt nicht von der Stelle - Himmel ha"..., in A flat major, then G major with the air: "Ein Mädchen"... (23 p. with an instrumental suite (2 p.). 7) "Nro 7 Schluss" Fleurette, Nicodeme and Jolicœur: "In unser Hochzeit schon feiern morgen"... (4 p.). Attached is a period copy of the orchestral score¸ probably made in Vienna, including the Overture (242 pages in-fol.), and showing some variations from the autograph. PROVENANCE Richard Bonynge; Sotheby's London sale, 27 November 2013, lot 214.
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