Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864). L.A.S., Berlin... - Lot 104 - Ader

Lot 104
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Estimation :
500 - 700 EUR
Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864). L.A.S., Berlin... - Lot 104 - Ader
Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864). L.A.S., Berlin 21 April 1853, to the Minister of Public Instruction [Hippolyte Fortoul]; 4 pages in-4 in his cipher. About his future projects: L'Africaine, and L'Étoile du Nord (to be premiered at the Opéra-Comique on 16 February 1854; L'Africaine was not premiered at the Opéra until 28 April 1865, after the composer's death). He thanks the Minister for his confidence, and wants to confide in him "my most intimate secrets as an author", but asks him not to reveal anything: "You know the inconveniences and disadvantages that can result from publishing an artist's projects too prematurely [...] I do indeed have a libretto for the Grand Opéra [L'Africaine]; however, it has been altered in such a way by M. Scribe that it has become a completely new work to be recomposed. [...] this work was only delivered to me two months ago, so that it is impossible for me to finish this new work, which comprises five acts, by next winter. But he confided, "under the seal of secrecy," that he had "a great work all finished for the Imperial Theatre of the Opéra Comique, the subject of which seems to me to be perfectly suited to the present circumstances. If, as I hope, the Director of the Opéra Comique fulfils the conditions I have asked of him, conditions which are all artistic, I will come to Paris this summer to direct the rehearsals, so that it can be performed at the beginning of the winter. [This will not prevent me from working ardently on my score for the Grand Opéra, where I will henceforth experience a double pleasure in producing a work, since this fine institution is now placed under the auspices of Your Excellency, who has always honoured me with his benevolent protection"... A L.A.S. to Mme Thérèse Célérier, Thursday evening [beginning of January 1864] (1 p. in-8, one envelope enclosed), offering her a box for the "brilliant" revival of Rossini's Moses: "I am always a little indisposed & by these great cold spells I do not go out much, that is why I have not yet come to wish you a happy new year in person"...
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