DELIBES (Léo, 1836-1891, French Composer of Light Opera & Ballet, including 'Coppélia')

Fine Autograph Letter Signed in French with translation to "Dear Friend" in brackets "to Hengel" saying that he has not "yet received the manuscript of the 2nd act of Jean de Nivelle. Please have a brochure corrected and send it to me tomorrow. There is only one or two pages to correct. It's a reversal, I think, that makes it incomprehensible. I see that nothing has been done today about Lakmé at the theater; Why? I know that we could not gather the main artists but why not take advantage of it to make Bazille work carefully with the 3 girls, and especially Miss Rémy? Before taking a stand on this subject, it is necessary that we can judge on a sufficiently learned and well developed thing. Will you tell Carvalho that I ask him that? My absence can not be used better and it is even better that this work be done without me ...", 4 sides 8vo., no place, no date

Jean de Nivelle is an opera in three acts by Léo Delibes to a French libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille. It premiered on 6 March 1880 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, with the French tenor, Jean-Alexandre Talazac in the title role. The story is based on the historical figure Jean de Nivelle, a member of the House of Montmorency who refused to join with his father, Jean II de Montmorency, in supporting Louis XI in his war against Charles the Bold.

Jean de Nivelle
Lakmé
Jeudi 9
Cher ami, (à Hengel)
Il est 3 heures. Je vais me rendre au chemin-de-fer ; et je n'ai pas encore reçu le manuscrit du 2ème acte de Jean de Nivelle.
Veuillez donc faire rectifier une brochure et me l'envoyer demain. Il n'y a qu'une ou 2 pages à rectifier. C'est une interversion, je crois, qui rend la chose incompréhensible.
Je vois qu'on n'a encore rien fait aujourd'hui de Lakmé, au théâtre ; Pourquoi ?
Je sais qu'on ne pouvait réunir les principaux artistes mais pourquoi ne pas en avoir profité pour faire travailler soigneusement avec Bazille les 3 jeunes filles, et surtout Mlle Rémy ?
Avant de prendre un parti à ce sujet, il est nécessaire que nous puissions juger sur une chose suffisamment apprise et bien mise au point.
Voulez bien dire à Carvalho que je lui demande cela. On ne peux mieux utiliser mon absence et il est même préférable que ce travail se fasse sans moi.
Voulez-vous bien, pour me réjouir dans les brumes de Bruxelles, m'adresser au théâtre de la Monnaie, demain, un mot me disant ce qu'on aura fait à l'opéra comique vendredi et samedi.
A dimanche soir
Tout à vous
Léo Delibes

Jean de Nivelle
Lakmé
Dear friend, (to Hengel)
It is 3 o'clock. I am going to the railroad; and I have not yet received the manuscript of the 2nd act of Jean de Nivelle.
Please have a brochure corrected and send it to me tomorrow. There is only one or two pages to correct. It's a reversal, I think, that makes it incomprehensible.
I see that nothing has been done today about Lakmé at the theater; Why?
I know that we could not gather the main artists but why not take advantage of it to make Bazille work carefully with the 3 girls, and especially Miss Rémy?
Before taking a stand on this subject, it is necessary that we can judge on a sufficiently learned and well developed thing.
Will you tell Carvalho that I ask him that? My absence can not be used better and it is even better that this work be done without me.
Will you please, to rejoice in the mists of Brussels, address me to the Théâtre de la Monnaie tomorrow a word telling me what will be done at the comic opera Friday and Saturday.
Sunday evening
All yours
Léo Delibes

Item Date:  0

Stock No:  39706      £250

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