Camille Saint-Saëns signed autograph letter, Phryné, Opéra-Comique, 1893

  
Camille SAINT-SAËNS - signed autograph letter - Phryné - Opéra-Comique - 1893. Camille SAINT-SAËNS - signed autograph letter - Phryné - Opéra-Comique - 1893 Camille SAINT-SAËNS - signed autograph letter - Phryné - Opéra-Comique - 1893

Camille Saint-Saëns was a French composer born on October 9, 1835, in Paris, and died on December 16, 1921, in Algiers. He is famous for his orchestral works, notably The Carnival of the Animals and Symphony No. Saint-Saëns was also a virtuoso pianist and a renowned organist, making a major contribution to French Romantic music.

A beautiful signed autograph letter from Camille Saint-Saëns to his friend Alfred Michel (Egyptologist), dated April 30, 1893. Phryné, the work mentioned in the letter, is a two-act opéra-comique by Camille Saint-Saëns, with a libretto by Lucien Augé de Lassus. It was premiered in Paris at the Opéra-Comique on May 24, 1893, barely three weeks after the letter was written.

It is Saint-Saëns’ only opera with a humorous tone, and the one most performed during his lifetime up to the First World War.

The letter mentions Léon Carvalho, director of the Opéra-Comique, as well as a Caroline, perhaps Caroline Montigny-Rémaury, the famous pianist and friend of Saint-Saëns, who inspired several of the composer’s works. A final “Dominus vobiscum” (“May the Lord be with you”) adds a touch of wit and refined affection to this letter.

“My dear friend, Carvalho is a rather difficult man to deal with; nevertheless, I will do what I can for your friend Stuart.

I do not hide from you that there are rumors of a change in management for next season. But that devil of a man is very clever, and if he does not want to leave, it will be hard to force him.

Be that as it may, he needs Phryné to be a success, and it is highly likely that Phryné will succeed; we rehearse every day with great determination, and it is going extremely well, it will be delightful. My health is excellent, and yours, it seems, is just as good, so all is for the best — if only Caroline does not do anything foolish! I have a lovely house all to myself and a large garden for 300 francs a month, it is unbelievable.

I am very happy in my little nest of greenery and peace. Unfortunately, I spend little time there, as I am always in Paris.”

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Camille Saint-Saëns, Camille Saint Saens, letter, autograph, signed, manuscript, Romantic music, The Carnival of the Animals, Symphony No. 3, Paris

Camille SAINT-SAËNS - signed autograph letter - Phryné - Opéra-Comique - 1893
Camille Saint-Saëns was a French composer born on October 9, 1835, in Paris, and died on December 16, 1921, in Algiers.

Camille SAINT-SAËNS - signed autograph letter - Phryné - Opéra-Comique - 1893
Camille Saint-Saëns was a French composer born on October 9, 1835, in Paris, and died on December 16, 1921, in Algiers.

Camille SAINT-SAËNS - signed autograph letter - Phryné - Opéra-Comique - 1893
Camille Saint-Saëns was a French composer born on October 9, 1835, in Paris, and died on December 16, 1921, in Algiers.

Careful shipping
Returns accepted

Camille Saint-Saëns, Camille Saint Saens, letter, autograph, signed, manuscript, Romantic music, The Carnival of the Animals, Symphony No.

3, Paris
Camille Saint-Saëns, Camille Saint Saens, letter, autograph, signed, manuscript, Romantic music, The Carnival of the Animals, Symphony No.