Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971) Autograph Musical Quotation from

Stravinsky, Igor. (1882–1971)

Autograph Musical Quotation from "Persephone"

A brief autograph musical quotation from the important composer, who has penned two measures of a theme from his 1934 melodrama Perséphone, signed below, and dated Paris, January 16, 1936. The quotation is the opening of the tenor solo in Part II of the work, beginning with the text "Perséphone confuse, se refuse à tout ce qui la seduit." Elegantly penned on a small card, in very fine condition. 5 x 3.25 inches (13 x 8.2 cm).

Stravinsky's Perséphone is a mélodrame for speaker, solo singers, chorus, dancers and orchestra with a libretto by André Gide. It was first performed under the direction of the composer at the Opéra in Paris, on 30 April 1934 in a double bill with the ballet Diane de Poitiers by Jacques Ibert. The premiere was staged by the ballet company of Ida Rubinstein, with Rubinstein herself dancing and speaking the part of Persephone and the tenor René Maison singing Eumolphe. The melodrama tells the story of Persephone's abduction to the Underworld and her rebirth, with the tenor soloist taking the part of Eumolphe (Eumolpus), the legendary Thracian bard. (15830)

AMQS Classical Music