Jules Massenet
French composer, 1842-1912
"Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet was a French composer of the Romantic era best known for his operas, of which he wrote more than thirty. The two most frequently staged are ""Manon"" (1884) and ""Werther"" (1892). He also composed oratorios, ballets, orchestral works, incidental music, piano pieces, songs etc. The opera ""Le roi de Lahore"", his nearest approach to a traditional grand opera was finished in 1877 and was one of the first new works to be staged at the Palais Garnier. Like many prominent French composers of the period, Massenet became a professor at the Conservatoire where he taught composition from 1878 until 1896. Among his students were Gustave Charpentier and Ernest Chausson."
Source: Wikipedia
Komponist (1842–1912). Visitenkarte mit eigenh. Zusatz. [Paris. 1 S. Visitkartenformat. Mit eh. adr. Kuvert.
$ 208 / 200 €
(15810)
Jules Massenet (1842–1912), Komponist. Visitenkarte mit drei e. Zeilen und U. [Paris, 16. Mai 1908. 1 S. Visitkartenformat. Mit e. adr. Kuvert. – An Rechtsanwalt Meuser in Riedberg (Hessen): „Profondément honoré et touché de votre pkpk pensée! M[onsieur] Massenet“.
French composer (1842-1912). Autograph Musical Manuscript Signed ("J. Massenet"). Paris. Folio. 2 pp. On staff paper, a few tiny chips to edges, matted and framed with portrait.
$ 1,556 / 1.500 €
(61231)
Quotation from the opera Thaïs, headed "andante cantabile."
Komponist (1842-1912). Portrait photograph, signed and inscribed. 46, Rue du Général Foy. 32mo. 1 p.
$ 208 / 200 €
(62953)
Head-and-shoulders portrait in profile, from the studio of Nadar, Paris, inscribed to Oscar Berl: "en souvenir de la 1ère représentation de Werther à l'opéra Impérial de Vienne, 16 fevrier 1892 [...]".
französischer Opernkomponist des ausgehenden 19. Jahrhunderts (1842-1912). Eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift. o. O. 8vo. 3 pp. Doppelblatt. Mit Kuvert.
$ 208 / 200 €
(81701)
Persönlicher Brief an Léon Bessand mit Erwähnung von Juliette, die im Moment krank sei.
französischer Opernkomponist des ausgehenden 19. Jahrhunderts (1842-1912). Eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift. o. O. 8vo. 1 p. Doppelblatt. Mit Kuvert.
$ 208 / 200 €
(81702)
Persönlicher Brief an Léon Bessand.
französischer Opernkomponist des ausgehenden 19. Jahrhunderts (1842-1912). Eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift. o. O. 8vo. 1 p. Doppelblatt.
$ 208 / 200 €
(81703)
Persönlicher Brief an Léon Bessand.
französischer Opernkomponist des ausgehenden 19. Jahrhunderts (1842-1912). Eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift. Monaco. 8vo. 1 p. Palais de Monaco-Briefkopf.
$ 208 / 200 €
(89245)
Kurze Notiz mit einer Entschuldigung.
französischer Opernkomponist des ausgehenden 19. Jahrhunderts (1842-1912). Eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift. ohne Ort und Datum. 8vo. 1 p.
$ 208 / 200 €
(89246)
Kurze Notiz wegen eines Treffens.
compositeur (1842-1912). Eigenh. Visitenkarte. Paris. 1 S. Visitkartenformat.
$ 156 / 150 €
(49243/BN33539)
M. Massenet (dies gedruckt) "profondement touché de votre fidèle sympathie!"
Komponist (1842-1912). Visitenkarte mit eigenh. Notiz. O. O. u. D. 1 S. Carte de visite.
$ 208 / 200 €
(935556/BN935556)
"respectueusement".
French composer (1842-1912). Autograph musical manuscript signed. No place. Large 4to. Title page, 11 pp. on 11f. music, 1 blank fol.
$ 6,744 / 6.500 €
(72638/BN46474)
"Noël | chœur pour 2 voix| de femmes | avec solo [...] Massenet | seule version exacte | (fev. 1[8]95)". - With some autograph remarks from Henri Heugel, who had been Massenets publisher, and stamped "Archives Heugel". - Slight damage to edges, and somewhat spotty, otherwise in good condition.
Komponist (1842-1912). Autograph musical manuscript signed and dedicated. Paris. Titel und 7½ SS. auf 5 Bll. Folio. Fadengeheftet.
$ 4,669 / 4.500 €
(73272/BN47640)
Exceptionally beautiful fair copy of his song "Souvenir" for singing voice with music accompaniment after a text by Alfred de Musset. Inscribed to the bass baritone Hermann Léon (Léonard Hermann, 1814-58), printed in 1874. The great success led to the publication of a piano version. - Somewhat browned and stained, with slight damage to edges.
French composer (1842-1912). Autograph calling card. N. p. o. d. Oblong 12mo. 1 line.
$ 187 / 180 €
(82728/BN54023)
Printed calling card of "Mr. & Mme. J. Massenet" with the underlined note: "Tous nos souvenirs". - Minimally stained.
French composer (1842-1912). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 23.01.1884. 8vo. 1 page on bifolium.
$ 259 / 250 €
(84179/BN54044)
To a friend with thanks for her congratulations, in which he has taken great pleasure: "Vos chères félicitations, Madame, me causent le plus sincère plaisir car vous m'avez toujours gardé un fidèle souvenir! [...]".
composer (1842-1912). Autograph letter signed. Paris. 26.04.1898. 8vo. 2 pp. on bifolium.
$ 259 / 250 €
(82776/BN54096)
A letter of thanks to a friend, with an invitation in answer to the recipient's attentiveness concerning a performance of Massenet's opera "Le Cid" which premiered in 1885 and would continue to be revived by the Paris Opera until 1919: "Vous savez toujours trouver le chemin de nos coeurs, à ma femme et à moi - et je tiens, encore cette fois, vous recevoir en bon moment au mieux pour votre nouvelle attentions au sujet du 'Cid' [...]".
composer (1842-1912). Autograph letter signed. Vevey. 09.08.1900. Oblong 8vo. 3 pp. on bifolium.
$ 291 / 280 €
(82777/BN54097)
To an ambassador, requesting a favour for the singer Sibyl Sanderson, Massenet's inspiration for his opera "Esclarmonde". Sanderson wishes that her boxes of costumes not be opened at the Belgian border: "Il s'agit d'obtenir un mot de protection afin que ses Caisses de Costumes ne soient pas ouvertes à la douane belge. La créatrice d' 'Esclarmonde' doit se rendre à Bruxelles dans quelques jours [...]".
composer (1842-1912). Autograph letter signed. No place or date. Oblong 8vo. 1 page.
$ 228 / 220 €
(82778/BN54098)
Hastily written note to a friend regarding performance preparations, setting the date for the orchestra rehearsal, expressing his satisfaction with a text project, and mentioning Massenet's wife being ravished by the recipient's compliments: "Mi demain aura l'épreuve corrigée aujourd'hui d'orchestre. Le projet de texte ci-joint est parfait [...] Ma femme est absolument ravie à vos souvenir [...]".
French composer (1842-1912). 6 autograph letters signed, and 3 autograph visiting cards (signed). Paris and Égreville. 8vo. Together 10 pp. on 6 bifolia and 3 single sheets.
$ 1,868 / 1.800 €
(82812/BN54132)
To the cellist and conductor Achille Kerrion (1868-1939) with thanks, regards and congratulations to him and the whole orchestra, as well as praise for his sister, the singer Stéphanie Kerrion: "Votre lettre me trouve à Paris, que je travers & de suite, je vous exprime ma parfaite gratitude & toutes mes chaleureuses amitiés! Votre soeur est une très remarquable artiste que [!] c'est avec reconnaissance que je la remercie! à tous les musiciens de l'orchestre mes plus amicables félicitations [...]" (Paris, 15 Oct.
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..
French composer (1842-1912). Collection of 5 autograph letters signed, 2 monogrammed autograph letters, and 1 autograph letter. Brussels, Paris, Vevey, and no place. 8vo and 12mo. Altogether 20 pp. on bifolia and one single leaf. With 8 autograph envelopes. In French.
$ 2,594 / 2.500 €
(86133/BN57044)
A series of letters written to his daughter Juliette (1868-1935) and her husband Léon Alloend-Bessand. Massenet was travelling extensively in 1890 and spent several months in Bruxelles, probably for the reprise of his opera "Esclarmonde" in September 1890 at La Monnaie, with Sibyl Sanderson. While it was rumoured that Massenet had an affair with Sanderson and the American soprano does indeed play a role in his letters, the correspondence also bears witness to Massenet's profound longing for his wife and his solitude due to the physical distance from his family.
It is unclear whether his wife Louise, 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..
French composer (1842-1912). Autograph letter signed. Paris. Small 8vo. 3 pp. on bifolium.
$ 674 / 650 €
(86135/BN57046)
To the soprano Fidès Devriès (1852-1941), announcing the completion of his opera "El Cid" and that she will receive her score within two days, delivered by the composer personally. Massenet explains a delay in his work with sickness and the departure of his publisher and original librettist Georges Hartmann: "Je ne sais si cette lettre your parviendra à Paris ou à Deauville mais je tiens à vous dire, Madame, que je vous ferai parvenir la partition complètement exacte au plus tard le 1er août.
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..
French composer (1842-1912). Autograph lettercard signed ("Massenet"). [Paris. 12mo. 1 p. With autograph address.
$ 259 / 250 €
(87165/BN57616)
Poetic New Year's wishes for the French soprano Fidès Adler-Devriès (1851-1941): "1912. Comment ma première pensée ne serait-elle pas sur cous, au début de chaque année?! - Votre souvenir / reste pour moi / une gloire unique!". - Born in New Orléans to the Dutch soprano Rosa de Vries-van Os, Fidès Adler-Devriès studied under Gilbert Duprez and made her debut in Fromental Halévy's "Le val d'Andorre" at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris in October 1868 and joined the Paris Opéra in 1871. For Jules Massenet she created the female lead Chimène in the premiere of "Le Cid" at the Paris Opéra on 30 November 1885.
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..
French composer (1842-1912). Portrait postcard signed. N. p. o. d. 136 x 88 mm. With traces of former mounting (verso).
$ 467 / 450 €
(87166/BN57617)
Beautiful picture postcard with the composer's signature. - Gilt borders.
Komponist (1842-1912). 11 eigenh. Briefe mit U. und eh. Briefkarte mit U. Paris und o. O. Zus. 18½ SS. auf 10 Doppelbll. und 2 Einzelbll. Mit 2 eh. adr. Kuverts.
$ 2,594 / 2.500 €
(90054/BN59505)
In französischer Sprache an die Direktoren des Brüsseler Opernhauses La Monnaie, Oscar Stoumon (1835-1900) und Édouard-Fortuné Calabresi (1824-1904), mit Freude über die Anwesenheit des Kulturministers Antoine Proust (1832-1905) bei der Uraufführung seiner Oper "Hériodade" sowie der Bitte, eine schöne Loge für denselben zu reservieren: "Mes chers directeurs, une bonne nouvelle qui fait sensation ici - le ministre des arts, Mr Antoine Proust, assistéra à la premières représentation d'Hérodiade à Bruxelles - d'une façon officielle - puis-je compter sur votre promesse de lui réserver une belle loge de premier r[ang]? [...]" (Paris, 02.
XII. 1881). - An dieselben über die letzte Vorstellung der "Hériodade", die er gerne 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, 06. 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 kommt 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..