BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869) - photo 1
BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869) - photo 2

BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)

Starting price
£ 1 200
Auction dateClassic
14.12.2022 10:30UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 870906
Lot 76 | BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)
BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)

Autograph letter signed ('Hector Berlioz') to Louis Philippe, King of the French, Rue de Londres 31, Paris, 14 May 1840.

In French. Two pages, 323 x 202mm, contemporary annotation at upper margin of p.1.



Requesting permission to dedicate 'Le Cinq Mai' to King Louis-Philippe on the occasion of the return of Napoleon's body from Saint Helena to France. Berlioz recalls having written, three years previously, music for a song entitled 'The death of the Emperor': 'It has been played many times at the Conservatoire and well received by the public, but not yet printed. However, the sublime ceremony which is in preparation and which France will owe you gives the publication of this work the advantage of topicality, and its success would be assured if the King deigned to accept its dedication to him. I dare to solicit this precious favour, Sire, from Your Majesty'.



The work in question is Le Cinq Mai, op.6, a setting of a poem by Pierre-Jean de Béranger for bass soloist, chorus and orchestra. Berlioz's memory of the date of composition is somewhat vague: it must in fact have been completed by autumn 1835, since its first performance at the Paris Conservatoire was on 22 November that year. The plan to repatriate the remains of the Emperor Napoleon had been announced in the Chambre des Députés two days previously on 12 May 1840: the reburial at Les Invalides took place on 15 December. The contemporary annotation records that the Comte de Montalivet was charged with responding to Berlioz. Correspondance générale no.714.





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This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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10.12.2022 – 13.12.2022
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