J. MASSENETLivre Rare Book
Jules MASSENETBiblio.com
"Nous allons au théâtre en traîneau"" Signed autograph letter
187975877Budapest 1879. Fine. Budapest 17 janvier 1879 11 x 17.50 cm 4 pages sur un feuillet remplié Autograph letter signed by Jules Massenet two pages written in black ink on a double sheet. Fold inherent to mailing. A small split at the junction of the two sheets without gravity. Fine letter written by the composer during his first stay in the Hungarian capital for Le Roi de Lahore whose premiere took place eight days later: ""Répétition générale ce matin . excellente exécution"" ""General rehearsal this morning . excellent execution"". Massenet mentions the setbacks that occurred which forced the postponement of the opera's programming: ""La Benza Ida notre Sitia ne pouvant chanter demain à cause de son deuil la première est remise à huit jours."" ""La Benza Ida our Sitia unable to sing tomorrow because of her mourning the premiere is postponed by eight days."". This letter also evokes the friendship between Massenet and Franz Liszt more than thirty years his senior who took the young composer under his wing at the Villa Medici in 1863: ""Je viens de chez Liszt il est arrivé cette nuit à Peth et sera à la première."" ""I come from Liszt's he arrived last night in Pest and will be at the premiere."". Surprised by the hostile climate of this region he is visiting for the first time Massenet comments: ""Le froid est affreux la neige exaspère nous allons au théâtre en traîneau . Restez au coin du feu ah ! que vous souffririez de cette température je t'assure que c'est la sensation de la Russie la neige couvre tout. . je ne sors pas même un oeil quel hiver même pour les Hongrois enfouis dans leurs peaux comme des Lapons !"" ""The cold is dreadful the snow is exasperating we go to the theater by sleigh . Stay by the fire ah! how you would suffer from this temperature I assure you it's the sensation of Russia snow covers everything. . I don't even stick my nose out what a winter even for the Hungarians buried in their furs like Laplanders!"". unknown
