GOUNOD (Charles). - Lot 110

GOUNOD (Charles). Born in Paris. 1818-1893. French composer. Prix de Rome in 1839. Author of Faust (1859). L.A.S. "Ch. Gounod" to "Cher bon Jules" [Jules Richomme]. Vienne, Christmas Day, December 25, undated (circa 1845). 1 1/2 pages in-4. Subscription, with stamp remnant (small tear at foot. Paper missing due to the wax seal having been torn off, without any major damage to the text). ...The Cardinal Archbishop of Reims is deeply concerned about the studies for the Mass, and is beginning to have serious fears about the execution, due to the enormous delay in sending the vocal parts (...). Think about it my dear, you are compromising the future of this Mass: the studies will be insufficient and the execution poor. I repeat, think about it. In July 1887, Gounod had already conducted his Messe à la mémoire de Jeanne d'Arc, preceded by a prelude with fanfare, in Reims cathedral.