Le Rossignol - Pre-Publication Act I Proofs with Autograph Corrections

Berlin, Moskau, St. Petersburg: Russicher Musikverlag. [1914]. Original pre-publication proofs to Act I of the 1914 opera Le Rossignol, with autograph corrections in Stravinsky's hand. 3–58 pp. Engraved. [P.N.] R.M.V. 158. Autograph corrections or notes in pencil or red or blue pencil to pp. 3, 22, 30, 54, 56, and 57, with large red editorial stamps to pp. 3 and 23. Loose single-sided sheets within a card and canvas-tape folder, largely split at the fold. Heavy toning and wear to the edges, with some water damage to the later pages, not affecting the music. Overall in very good condition. 11.25 x 14 inches (28.5 x 36 cm).

From the estate of Nancie Monteux Barendse, the daughter of conductor Pierre Monteux, who premiered Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and the present work. 

Stravinsky's "conte lyrique"  Le rossignol is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fable The Nightingale, with a libretto by the composer and Stepan Mitussov. It was first performed on 26 May 1914 by the Ballets Russes at the Palais Garnier in Paris, under the baton of Pierre Monteux. Stravinsky had begun work on the opera in 1908, but put it aside for several years after he had received the commission from Sergei Diaghilev for The Firebird. Interrupted by further ballet commissions from Diaghilev, he did not complete it until 1914: thus stylistically the work reflects Stravinsky's significantly changed approach to composition. For the opera's premiere, the singers were in the pit and their roles were mimed and danced on stage. The mise-en-scène was by Alexandre Benois and Alexandre Sanine, and the choreography by Boris Romanov. Stravinsky later prepared a symphonic poem, Le chant du rossignol (The Song of the Nightingale), using music from the opera, in 1917, as a separate concert work. (16153)

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Printed Music

Signed Document/Item

Classical Music

$16,000.00

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