"Vichy, 48 heures follement occupées !": Jules Massenet's final premiere
Autograph note signed.
8vo. 1 p. on bifolium.
€ 400.00
Highly interesting note written less than two months before Massenet's death on 13 August 1912, concerning the premiere of his final opera "Roma" at the Opéra de Vichy in July 1912 and other projects for the summer. Massenet obviously dreaded "ending his repose" and having "48 insanely busy hours" of "work at the theatre in Vichy (Roma)". Massenet also mentions a performance of his 1907 opera "Thérèse" at the Casino d'Enghien (Enghien-les-Bains) with the bass-baritone Hector Dufranne and his protégé, the young mezzo-soprano Lucy Arbell, for the day that he wrote the note and an orchestra performance of "Thaïs" and of "Don Quichotte" the following day. In closing, Massenet remarks wearily: "It does not matter! My thoughts are with the two incomparable friends" - a remark which appears to point to recent losses.
On 4 July 1912 Massenet conducted "Roma" at the Opéra de Vichy. It was his final premiere.
Very slight foxing.
