GOUNOD (Charles). - Lot 106

GOUNOD (Charles). Born in Paris. 1818-1893. French composer. First Prix de Rome in 1839. Autograph letter Signed "Ton vieux Charles Gounod" to "Mon bon petit Jules" [the painter Jules Richomme]. S.l. [Paris], May 23, 1866. Blue paper. 1 1/2 pages in-4. BEAUTIFUL LETTER TO THE PAINTER JULES RICHOMME, WHOM GOUNOD CONSIDERED A BROTHER. Gounod postponed his outing with his painter friend, stating his reasons for doing so: ...Yet another obstacle in the way, my dear good Jules; it seems that Providence is absolutely determined to save you the trouble of a trip to the museum with a poor musician. Here are 2 unforeseen events that have befallen me today, at precisely the time I had promised myself to take this nice walk with you.1°. A hurried and long letter that absolutely must be thrown in reply to today's mail for abroad, which closes its mouth at 3:1/2 a.m. 2°. A good old gentleman whom I met in Trouville this year, who announces his visit for today, who knows that I'm usually found at 1 a.m., who has come a long way to see me, and whom I have good reason to like and receive, since he's a godson of mine. You may be laughing! Yes, a godson, i.e. a Protestant convert who recanted on vacation and for whom I was godfather. You see me hounded by as many bits as it takes to keep a man at home. I watch with displeasure as the time of your departure draws nearer and the time of our museum tour, planned so long ago and perhaps hanging on a nail for much longer, recedes. You'll excuse me, won't you, dear good one: I hope this won't disrupt the arrangement of your day, at least I very much hope it won't. I'll probably see you soon at your studio around the time you know I can get there; I hope luck won't have made you foolishly leave for that day.Farewell, good and dear Jules; I kiss you as I love you, which means a lot as a friend and almost as much as a brother: I even give you a commission for your excellent parents, who are also a little mine...Note: rue Taranne disappeared when the boulevard Saint-Germain was built in 1870.