MASSENET, Jules 1842-1912

Grisélidis Conte lyrique en 3 Actes, avec un Prologue Poème de Armand Silvestre et Eugène Morand (D'après Le Mystère représenté à la Comédie-Française) ... Partition Piano et Chant. Prix net: 20 francs ... Théatre National de L'Opéra-Comique. [Piano-vocal score]

Paris: Heugel & Cie [PN H. et Cie. 8114.], 1901.

Large octavo. Quarter mid-tan morocco with marbled boards, spine with decorative elements and titling gilt, upper edge gilt, decorative endpapers, with original publisher's decorative ivory embossed wrappers printed in gilt bound in. 1f. (recto dedication "En témoignage de Reconnaissance Au Collaborateur à l'Ami Albert Carré, Directeur de l'Opéra-Comique" by Eugène Morand and Massenet, verso blank), 1f. (recto title printed within red line border, verso blank), 1f. (recto named cast list, verso blank), 2ff. (table of contents, printed note relative to performance), 235, [i] (blank) pp.

Named cast includes Mlle. Lucienne Bréval as Grisélidis, Tiphaine, Daffetye, Lucien Fugère, Maréchal, Dufranne, Jacquinm, and Huberdeau.

With small publisher's handstamp to blank lower margin of title.

Binding slightly worn, rubbed, and bumped; endpapers and wrappers somewhat browned; outer margins of several leaves with scattered, light foxing. A clean, attractive copy overall.

First Edition.

Grisélidis was first performed in Paris at the Théâtre National de l'Opéra-Comique on 20 November 1901.

" ... on its own terms [Grisélidis] is one of Massenet’s most successful operas. The action moves swiftly through just over two hours of music, the instrumentation shows the composer at his most economic and delicate, and in no other of his operas are his melodies so unconstrained. The use of reminiscence motif is judiciously calculated. Much of the score’s appeal lies in its skilful mixture of comedy and sentiment. The role of the Devil was written for Lucien Fugère, one of Massenet’s favourite singers; his music is full of sprightly, dry Gallic wit ... the title role is as touching in its delineation as it is vocally rewarding – it was originally sung by Lucienne Bréval, who also created Fauré’s Pénélope and Dukas’ Ariane ... the tenderly nostalgic duet for Grisélidis and her first love, written with rare psychological insight ... [shows] the composer at his best." Rodney Milnes in Grove Music Online.

Item #25633

Price: $150.00  other currencies