MONSIGNY, Pierre-Alexandre 1729-1817

On ne s'avise jamais de tout Opéra-Comique Répresenté à Versailles devant Leurs Majestés le mercredi 2 Decembre 1761 par Mr. Sedaine ... Partition Piano et Chant arrangée par Ch. Lecocq. [Piano-vocal score].

Paris: Gustave Legoux [PN 4], [1910].

Large octavo. Original publisher's dark ivory wrappers printed in dark brown. 1f. (recto title within decorative border, verso blank), 1f. (bust-length portrait of Monsigny, verso blank), 1f. (recto named cast list and contents, verso blank), 1f. (list of subscribers), 105, [i] (blank) pp. With separate 16-page libretto bound in.

Named cast includes Caillot, Vallette, Rochard, La Miere, Larive, Gelin, Champeville, and Préval.

Wrappers somewhat worn and soiled, titling to spine in black ink. Small date annotation to title.

Most likely issued at the time of the revival in Paris at the Théâtre de Monsieur in December of 1910.

On ne s’avise jamais de tout, to a libretto by Sedaine after La Fontaine, was first performed in Paris at the Opéra-Comique (Foire St Laurent) on 14 September 1761.

"The first result of the collaboration between Sedaine and Monsigny, which proved one of the most fruitful in French opera, was On ne s’avise jamais de tout (1761); it was such a success that it was revived at court in December of the same year, an unusual distinction for an opera first performed at the Théâtres de la Foire, and was chosen, with Blaise le savetier, for the first performance given by the Comédie-Italienne after its merger with the Opéra-Comique, on 3 February 1762."

"[Monsigny] was born into a noble but penniless family; his aristocratic origins were useful to him in his Parisian career, however, and are evident in the fact that all his scores were published anonymously, for it would have been improper for a nobleman to admit to being a musician ... Despite his personal difficulties and his retirement from musical life at the age of 48, his operas continued their brilliant career at the end of the ancien régime, during the Revolutionary period and into the first quarter of the 19th century." Michel Noiray in Grove Music Online.

Item #28251

Price: $75.00  other currencies