Banville, Théodore de, French poet, playwright, and critic (1823-1891). 2 autograph letters signed.

€ 650.00

According to collector's notes, both letters are written to the journalist, playwright, and librettist Jules Adenis (1823-1900). One can be dated to 31 May or early June 1868, as it concerns the première of Adenis's drama "La Czarine" at the Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique on 30 May 1868. Banville informs Adenis that he did not receive tickets for the première as promised, but still congratulates him on the success: "Contrairement à ta bonne promesse, je n'ai pas reçu pour la première représentation de La Czarine les deux places que tu m'avais annoncées. Se sont-elles perdues en route, ou qu'y a-t-il? J'en sais assez pour pouvoir te faire compliment du succès sans avoir eu le plaisir de t'applaudir".

In the "essentially confidential" and probably earlier second letter, Banville asks his friend for help with publishing a "special musical feuilleton" concerning opera singers like Rosine Laborde, Delphine Ugalde, and Louis Gueymard. As Banville mentions Ugalde's role of Elizabeth I in Ambroise Thomas's "Le songe d'une d'été", the terminus post quem for the letter is 1850.

The letter from 1868 with minor tears to the upper border. The second letter with a minor tear and several stains and creases due to water spotting.