[Georges BIZET]. Camille DU LOCLE (1832–1903), librettist and director of the Opéra-Comique.

A deeply moving account of Georges Bizet’s death. ‘My dear friend, poor Bizet died suddenly last night at half past midnight. He had been suffering greatly for some time from an abscess in his throat; three or four days ago, he had been taken to Bougival. He had been seized by pains which were thought to be rheumatism. We probably did not understand his condition at all. He passed away without agony, without having seen death; at first we thought he was asleep, then fainted... The service will take place at 11 o’clock on Saturday at Notre Dame de Lorette. ‘I am, like you, deeply shaken and deeply grieved’... Manuscript of his funeral oration, a final farewell and tribute to his friend: ‘The bolt of lightning that took Georges Bizet from us resounds so painfully deep within our hearts that it leaves room only for dread and doubt. [...] Bizet was one of the firmest, one of the dearest hopes of French music, [...] he led the way among this young constellation from which tomorrow’s masters will emerge, [...] he fell on the eve of triumph [...]. ‘Without the strength to speak of his so richly fulfilled career, and of our shattered hopes, I can only remember, and weep’... The announcement of Bizet’s funeral is enclosed, addressed to Philippe Gille.