GOUNOD, CHARLES. (1818-1893). French composer best known for his operas Faust, Romeo et Juliette and Sapho. AMusQS. (“Ch. Gounod”). 1p. Oblong Large 4to. N.p., February 19, 1856. Twenty-three double measures from the introduction to Act III of Gounod’s opera Sapho, identified by Gounod in the upper margin and marked “mod[era]to” and “simil[e]” and inscribed “à mon ami Salvator.”
Hover over image to magnify. Click to zoom.
Click image to magnify
Gounod’s early love of sacred music inspired him to pursue a religious vocation, but soon after entering a Carmelite monastery in 1847 to prepare for the priesthood, Gounod left his studies and turned away from the composition of church music to seek fame and fortune in opera. Gounod completed Sapho, his first opera, in 1850 and it premiered in April 1851 at the Paris Opera with Pauline Viardot as Sapho, but to mixed reviews. Eight years later the composer secured a place in the history of French music with his popular opera based on Goethe’s Faust.
Our quotation is the introduction to Sapho’s third, and final, act, which takes place on a beach at sunset. Folded and somewhat dust stained. With somewhat rudimentary repairs to all four corners. In very good condition and rare in this length.
