Gilbert DUPREZ (1806-1896). Partially autograph musical manu - Lot 108

Gilbert DUPREZ (1806-1896). Partially autograph musical manuscript, La Cabane du pêcheur, [1826]; 350pages in-fol. (33x25cm), in a volume bound in half-black basane with corners, with G. Duprez in gilded letters on the upper cover, Lagastine papetier label (period binding worn, one corner missing). First opera written by the tenor, never published. In his Souvenirs d'un chanteur (pp. 40-43), Duprez recounted the story of this Cabane du pêcheur: "in 1826, I brought my first dramatic work to light. It has to be said, the demon of composition has always possessed me [...] my brother, the actor, having for his part the same mania for versification, we joined forces to perpetrate an innocent comic opera whose main character was named l'Esturgeon. It was certainly less difficult to get representation in those days than it is now. I had a few friends at the Versailles theater, and they urged me to present my play to their director, who agreed to have it performed. [...] We attended such a dress rehearsal that my brother and I did not think it prudent to go to the first performance. But we had the greater satisfaction of seeing ourselves performed some time later, at a benefit evening, by my comrades from the Odéon, who were willing to lend themselves to the execution of this masterpiece." The title page, in Duprez's hand (except for the title and composer's name in large stencilled letters), states that this "opera in one act" was "first performed at the Théâtre de Versailles on ... January 1827 and by the artists of the Odéon on Holy Wednesday 1827". The manuscript, in brown ink on 18-line paper, is that of the orchestral score. It opens with an orchestral Orage, in Duprez's hand (25 pages); the orchestra comprises flute, octave, oboe, clarinets, 2 trumpets, 2 horns, trombones, bassoons, timpani and strings. Most of the manuscript is in the hand of a copyist, with corrections by Duprez (inserted pages, crossed-out measures, collettes). It comprises: N°1 Introduction (chorus), N° 2 Duo (Anna, Vansott), N° 3 Chœur (pêcheurs), N° 4 Air (Vansott), N° 4 Bis Chanson (L'Esturgeon) [2 autograph ff. inserted], Nos 5 and 6 Duo and quartet [the quartet (Anna, Oscar, L'Esturgeon, Vansott) is autograph, on 10 ff.], N°7 Morceau d'ensemble [the end autogr. on 3 p.], N° 7[8] Récit (Oscar, then quatuor) [this number is entirely autograph, 16 ff.], N° 9 Chœur final. At the end, Duprez has inscribed the date: "Juillet, août, 7bre 182[6]".