- 424
Lesueur, Jean-François
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Lesueur, Jean-François
- Autograph manuscript of part of the opera Paul et Virginie
- ink on paper
the composer's own fair copy of the Quartet and chorus "Voyez-nous pénétrés de reconnaissance!", from the Act One Finale, lacking the conclusion, comprising the vocal and choral parts, the orchestral strings notated only on the first page (with Lesueur's instruction to follow the orchestral parts in the engraved score), written in black ink in his mature hand, on up to sixteen staves per page, per page, the characters named on each page ("virginie"; "babet"; "paul"; "domingo"), with a few bars deleted, and some words altered, with the composer's note placing the piece within the drama on the first page ("...Quatuor et choeur, dernier partie du final du second acte de Paul et Virginie égarés dans la forêt après avoir été sauver une esclave indienne, et rencontrés par les negres sauvages indiens"),
42 pages, folio (34.5 X 26cms), 16-stave paper, sewn in two gatherings, no place or date, possibly 1820s, some browning to the first page
42 pages, folio (34.5 X 26cms), 16-stave paper, sewn in two gatherings, no place or date, possibly 1820s, some browning to the first page
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This is an important and substantial manuscript: Lesueur's original composing manuscript of Paul et Virginie is lost, and this later autograph fair copy would appear to be the sole surviving fragment in the composer's own hand.