Jules Massenet

1896). - To Antonin Périvier (1847-1924), director of the literary periodical "Gil Blas", suggesting his friend, Ernest Laroche from Bordeaux, for a position at the journal: "Cher grand ami, plus d'une sollicitation vous parviendra au sujet de votre nouveau journal! Passez à un homme très précieux: mon ami Ernest Laroche, de Bordeaux; il peut remplir un poste absolument utile et devenir un collaborateur tout à fait nécessaire [...]" (Paris, 6 Nov. 1902). - To a friend about writing to the influential music journal "Le Ménestrel", and with congratulations for his performance in his opera "Thaïs", which premiered in 1894: "Cher ami merci! J'écris au Ménestrel, allez y je vous en prie demain lundi. Très à vous & félicitations à votre diction [?] de Thais [...]" (Égreville, 22 Aug., no year). - To a friend with congratulations on his success, hoping it will last for a long time: "Je suis enchanté de vous savoir satisfait et je n'ai que à vous souhaiter la continuation de vos succès! [...]" (Paris, January 1890). - Hoping that a reunion will not take place as long as he is out of town: "Pourra que la réunion n'ait pas lieu pendant que je serai absent & loin! [...]" (no place, 11 Aug. 1900). - Setting the date and time for a visit: "Je vous attendrai chez moi (46 rue du Général Foy) le Lundi 30 avril à 9h ¼ précise du matin [...]" ([Paris], 21 April, no year). - The visiting cards send regards and congratulations, and express his disappointment at an answer from Kerrion. - All but 2 letters with strips of paper mounted on verso..

It is unclear whether his wife Louise, better known as Ninon, who at the time suffered from an eye disease, was actively avoiding contact with him, but the letters imply that Massenet was unable to communicate with her over extended periods of time. - The earliest of four letters from January to April 1890 must have been written in Paris and are mostly of a practical nature. Massenet inquires whether his daughter wants to go to the Ball of the Paris Opera on 1 February and later informs her that he has cancelled his reservation for a box because Sibyl Sanderson had fallen ill. In a letter datable to March, Massenet inquires whether his son-in-law has winter clothes for his hairdresser. On 4 April 1890, he expresses his gratitude and affection towards his daughter without mentioning the context: "I am very touched by your attentiveness - I'm lucky to know that I'm loved and respected. I send you all my warmest thanks and to both of you my affections", signing with "papa" along with his signature. - On 4 August 1890 Massenet wrote Juliette from Vevey, announcing the completion of his opera "Le Mage", particularly the orchestration of the first act. Alluding to Sibyl Sanderson, who was supposed to sing the lead in a "Manon" reprise, Massenet writes: "The ladies hold your memory very dear and 'Manon' is very amiable but very spoiled - The true 'Manon' has already worked for 3 acts and that is very promising". He closes with his "blissful solitude" and the information that he could not write to his wife as he does not know the address. - Massenet's perception of his solitude takes a turn in Bruxelles. On 24 August, he writes about his warm welcome at La Monnaie, but mostly about his wife: "I am constantly thinking about your mother who suffers with her eyes ... this is a constant preoccupation for me because I suppose that she must be sad, not being able really to enjoy her voyage - I wish I received news from morning to evening". On 29 August, he complains about not having received a word from his wife and describes his longing for his family. He wants true peace "because the quiet after the theatre is solitude and that's empty - she is with the family and I am alone in my hotel room". In a more practical vein, Massenet announces the reprise of "Esclarmonde" for 6 September. Two days before the premiere, Massenet again inquires about his wife and the state of her eyes, as he has not received "a single detail in 5 weeks", and he implores his dauther: "write me - I am so alone and so far and so desperate for Paris". He also announces concerts in Ostend and Antwerp following the Brussels premiere. - Well preserved. With occesional stains and collector's notes in pencil..

J'ai eu beaucoup de travail pour les corrections des épreuves et la maladie, le départ de Hartmann sont aussi un peu causes du retard. Mais tout sera en ordre. J'ai hâté d'aller vous voir à Deauville et de vous entendre!!!". - In an insertion, Massenet explains that he will rent a Villa in Houlgate in August and that he will drive his "little car, Le Cid under the arm" to nearby Deauville, where Devrès apparently spent her summer: "nous avons loué une Villa à Houlgate ma femme et ma fille y passeront les mois d'août y de septembre peut-être aussi - de là, avec ma petite voiture, le Cid sous le bras, j'irai à Deauville pour les moments d'étude que vous voudrez bien m'indiquer". - Massenet's "Le Cid" successfully premiered on 30 November 1885 at the Paris Opéra with Fidès Devriès as the female lead. - Some foxing and somewhat creased..

Her final major appearance was as Elsa in the French premiere of Lohengrin on 3 May 1887, before retiring from the stage in 1889. Jules Massenet held the soprano in high esteem, of which this letter gives charming evidence. - Well preserved with marks in crayon and some stains to the address side..

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..

XII. 1881). - An dieselben über die letzte Vorstellung der "Hériodade", die er gern als Dirigent leiten würde: "Vous me feriez un sensible plaisir en me disant [...] 1. quel jour (et quelle date) aura lieu la dernière représentation de la Monnaie - 2. Si vous comptez jouer Hérodiade ce soir là - 3. Si cela vous conviendrait que ce soit moi qui soit le chef d'orchestre pour cette représentation [...]" (Paris, 6. IV. 1882). Auf Briefpapier mit gedr. Briefkopf des Verlegers Georges Hartman (1843-1900). - An einen Freund mit einer Empfehlung des Komponisten Gaston Borch (1871-1926), der nach Paris komme, um sein Studium abzuschließen: "Voulez-vous me faire la gracieusité d'accorder une audition à un jeune Suédois [...] Mr Gaston Borch vient à paris pour compléter ses études musicales [...]" (31. III. 1891). - An seine Schüler über den Musikwettbewerb in Béziers, wo sie eine ihm gewidmete Ode des Komponisten Maurice Galerne singen werden: "Vous allez participer au Concours de Béziers où - après le morceau imposé, vous chanterez cette superbe ode lyrique en 3 parties de Maurice Galerne. L'auteur m'a dédié cette oeuvre [...]" (Paris, 10. V. 1907). - An einen Freund über den Wunsch einer Musikschülerin, Unterricht bei demselben zu nehmen: "Je reçois un mot de Madame Lange [...] il s'agit d'obtenir des leçons de toi - es-tu libre quelquefois? Mademoiselle Lange, ta future élève, a travaillé avec Guirand. J'écris à Madame Massart et à Armingaud pour le même motif [...]" (o. O. u. D.). - Die übrigen Briefe mit Absagen auf Einladungen, Empfehlungen junger Komponisten und Dank für freundliche Worte. - Ein Brief mit größeren Randläsuren; auf Trägerkarton montiert. Vereinzelt leicht gebräunt..

But everything changes within a day, and Massenet writes to his daughter Juliette, who likewise suffered a minor accident: "We hear from Léon about your accident... and we think of you so much! - Your mother is also quite affected herself; an injection had caused her right hand to swell, and a clumsiness in applying a phenic acid compress that was too strong - it is my fault, alas! - burned the swelling and the hand quite badly. She will not be able to use her hand for a month; she needs rigorous antiseptic care. That is why she cannot write to you and tell you herself of her concern for your dear health! - I do not leave her for a second; I am better... not being able to think of myself. - I will not be going to Paris for the competitions of the institute, but I am informing everyone that it is because I am unwell" (transl.). - Until the end of July, Massenet's life would revolve around the care for his wife, Léon Bessand serving as his confidant in Paris. - On 24 June, Massenet asks Bessand for more information about the consequences of Juliette's fall and provides some details concerning the treatment of Ninon's wound. In a postscript, he asks Léon to thank the director of the Paris Opéra, Pedro Gailhard, personally on his behalf for the favourable "notes de l'opéra" on "Thaïs" that were published by several newspapers. He also laments that he has never missed the Prix de Rome competition in 25 years and hopes for a successful revival of "Manon" with the soprano Sibyl Sanderson. This was indeed to happen, as Massenet thanks Léon on 3 July for an article from "Le Temps" on a performance of "Manon", also informing him about Ninon's progress. However, on 6 July, he is less optimistic: "Since the evening before yesterday I have been less calm, and I do not think the recovery is certain yet". In two letters from 8 July 1902, Massenet asks Léon for the address of the architect Joseph-Antoine Bouvard and to collect an advance from the music publisher Henri Heuglin in order to pay the rent for Massenet's Paris apartment. The document in the collection, a loan note for Heuglin, was originally enclosed with this letter. Apparently, Heuglin did not consider this formality necessary, as it remained in Bessand's possession. - 12 July was the "22nd day of suffering and inaction" for Massenet's wife, although he reports that the family doctor assured them "that her wound looks very good". Massenet thanks his son-in-law "for the receipts that arrived in the morning", asserting that "everything is fine thanks to your perfect kindness". - Meanwhile, Juliette Massenet had undertaken a trip to Cologne with their three children, to which her father alludes in this letter, an undated letter, and the second letter to Juliette upon her return, dated 14 July, which is worth quoting in full: "We learned that you were on a trip with all the children... I thought you had left with Olivier alone. We also heard about Olivier's illness, your anguish, the improvement that followed... Here, the condition is still serious... the wound will not heal... and causes your poor mother renewed pain with every cruel bandage. Since June 21st. It will be a month on Monday... As for when your mother will be able to try and use her right hand... we cannot tell yet". In a curious postscript, Massenet tells his daughter to keep all of this private: "Do not tell anyone about our misfortunes". - The final letter in the collection from 30 July appears to indicate Ninon's recovery; at least Massenet does not mention her wound again, but thanks Léon for a long-awaited visit to Égreville that gave "great pleasure" to his wife. In a postscript, he asks Léon for a final favour of forwarding a letter to Marie Waldeck-Rousseau, as he did not know her Paris address. - Minimal tears and browning..

Les cheminées gémissent comme M. Hardi lui-même! J'ai une voiture fermée qui me conduit au théâtre et me ramène [...] Mlle Calvé a répété [...] Scène avec Henri Cain ... rencontré par hasard, il a une pièce en répétition! Cela a troublé notre Salomé ... Hélas, hélas! [...]" (1903). - About the opera singer Emma Calvé, the return of a sum of 5,000 francs to the bank, and fittings for his opera "Marie-Magdeleine": "Emma était liée hier soir, exactement [...] Les 5,000 francs (Derville, Cain) seront remis par moi aujourd'hui au comptoir d'escompte [...] J'ai conférence pour les décors de M-Magdaleine [...] Je t'embrasse tendrement [...]" (1903). - A letter from Milan describes the first night of the opera "Thais", looks forward to a prolonged holiday for the recipient, and mentions the opera "Hérodiade", which soon to start in Paris, although the hall is not yet ready: "C'est ce soir la 1ère de Thais [...] Vive Seminarius!! car, l'été prochain nous jouissons des bienfaits de ton séjour prolongé. Hérodiade passe bientôt à Paris [...]" (1903). - About having to wait a long time for a reply from the composer Louise Filliaux-Tiger, felt as an insiult by Massenet; further on his opera "Werther", the incompetence of a M. Sanguy, and the great success of "Manon": "Je n'ai pas de réponse encore de Madame Filliaux-Tiger??? [...] M. Sanguy me semble un incapable [...] Manon a fait hier soir 7.100; très belle et chaude représentation. Bonne Manon, va! [...]" (1903). - About an extremely hot summer, open-top car driving at night, no dust in the house, no insects in the curtains, strongly praising all the addressee's work in Égreville: "J'ai eu une léger courant d'air, capotte baissée ! La maison et toujours sans poussière [...] L'été est une 'calamité' dont on parle partout [...]" (summer 1904). - A short arrival note: "Bien arrivé - très triste mais très courageux. Je t'embrasse si tendrement [...]" (August 1904). - Victor and Félicie, the singer Emma Calvé, and the writer and music critic Hugues Imbert (1842-1905), whose help Massenet urgently requires, will stay in Égreville: "À propos de M. Imbert dont les secours me seront de plus urgente [...]" (16 Aug. 1908 or 1909). - A letter from Trouville with a compliment by Engelbert-Marie d'Arenberg (1872-1949) for Mme. Massenet's tasteful arrangement of the house and garden at Égreville: "Le prince d'Arenberg m'a dit hier, à l'Institut, à quelle intéressante propriété vous avez à Egreville [...]". - To a "bon cheri" with a question about dirty linen and shirts, the need for a yellow suitcase containing Massenet's manuscripts of "Chérubin", mentioning Massenet's son-in-law Léon Bessand (1859-1943), and longing for the addressee's company: "Mon bon cheri, j'ai à demander si je dois rapporter tout le linge sale? [...] Comme je suis triste [...] Je te voudrais là tout près! [...]" (Paris, 1904). - On a meeting with the opera director Raoul Gunsbourg at the publishing house "Ménestrel" before a dinner at Chevalier's: "Avant le diner, au Ménestrel, Gunsbourg et moi nous avons parlé (devant Chevalier) [...] Gunsbourg évoquait que les collaborations avaient accepté [...]". - With a report from Égreville on a marvellous state of a "castle", the pewter is shiny, dust only a myth: "J'ai trouvé le château en superbe état [...] la poussière est un mythe! [...]". - About a reply to his daughter Juliette (1868-1935), sending an autograph, and visits to St Lunaire and St Malo. Apart from a slight, colic everything is fine: "J'ai répondu à Juliette qui simplement désirait un autographe [...] sauf quelques colliques tout va bien [...]". - Three letters with markings in blue pencil. All letters with collector's notes in pencil, mostly dating the autographs. Two letters have Massenet's signature in the form of a cloud-shaped flourish..