GOUNOD, Charles 1818-1893

Mirella. Opera in Three Acts ... With an English Adaptation by Henry F. Chorley Edited by Arthur Sullivan and J. Pittman. [Piano-vocal score]

London and New York: Boosey and Co., [ca. 1880].

Large octavo. Original publisher's full dark red cloth decoratively tooled in blind, black, dark blue, and gilt, titling gilt to spine, all edges gilt. 1f. (recto title, verso printer's note), 1f. (recto contents, verso cast list and synopsis), 176 pp.

Head and tail of spine very slightly frayed. Some signatures partially split; minor staining to upper margins of pp. 158-161.

"There are... fine moments in Mireille, particularly in the title role where Gounod exhibits his particular talent for feminine characterization... Mireille... is a noteworthy contribution to the French lyric stage... It presents the unsuitability of a love match because of difference in social status entirely within the framework of a rural agrarian society and transforms the daughter of a farmer into a tragic heroine."

"In his unceasing quest for what he saw as dramatic and spiritual truth, Gounod succeeded in restoring a higher sense of artistic purpose to the French stage, and in strictly musical terms his influence on the course of French music was substantial." Steven Huebner in Grove Music Online.

Item #28812

Price: $40.00  other currencies