© 2014 Robert W. Eshbach

 

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BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869). Autograph letter signed (‘H. Berlioz’) to Joseph Joachim, Deutsches Haus, Brunswick, 4 April [1854], confirming that they will be playing his overture Le Corsaire and the Banquet and Adagio from his symphony Roméo et Juliette; he asks Joachim to bring the German text for two other pieces.

One page, 4to (minor loss to right margin). Provenance: Stargardt, 28 October 1955, cat. 524, lot 342.

 

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Mon cher Joachim

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Oui, nous jouerons le Corsaire et deux autres morceaux (La Fête et l’adagio) de Romeo.

Si vous venez, soyez assez bon pour m’apporter les paroles allemandes de l’Absence et de La Captive que Mr Nieper avait eu la bonté de me promettre et que je ferai chanter à Dresde’.

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mille amitiés

votre tout dévoué

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H. Berlioz

Brunswick Deutsches Haus Mardi 4 avril

[Yes, we will play the Corsair and two other songs (La Fête and the adagio) from Romeo. / If you come, be kind enough to give me the German words of L’Absence and La Captive that Mr Nieper had the kindness to promise me and that I shall sing [perform] in Dresden.]

Apparently unpublished: not in the Correspondance Générale, ed. Citron (1983-2003), where its existence is however surmised.

Sold at Christie’s: Sale 5960, Valuable Manuscripts and Printed Books, 21 November 2012, London, King Street. £4,750, $7,548.