"I would be very happy to have my portrait in the next issue of Monde Illustré" - Autograph Letter Signed

ALS from the French composer to an unknown individual ("Monsieur") at Le Monde Illustré concerning a portrait for an upcoming article, following the premiere of Lakmé.  "Sunday Evening" [1883];  3 pp.  Translated from the French in full:  "Sir, / My apologies for not having been home when you came.  I would be very happy to have my portrait in the next issue of Monde Illustré and I am quite ready to entrust to your care a Viennese photograph which is not bad, but I went to pose on Saturday at Mr. Charles, photographer, who was coming, he told me, to ask me to stop by his place, for the two newspapers, Le Monde and L'Univers Illustré.  I think he would entrust his print to you.  Anyway, I am at your service, and if you would like to send someone to my place in the afternoon, we will surrender the picture (please, return it to me) to the person who will arrive with a note from you. / Receive, sir, all the most attentive of my compliments. / Léo Delibes / 220, Rivoli".  Expected mailing fold, else in fine condition.  6.5 x 8.1 inches (16.5 x 20.5 cm.).

A portrait of the composer drawn by M. Buillier after a photographer by Charles Gallot appeared in the popular magazine on 28 April, 1883 and is almost certainly the portrait discussed in the present letter.  It was published in the composer's honor following the first performance of his opera Lakmé on 14 April 1883 by the Opéra-Comique at the (second) Salle Favart in Paris.  (19086)

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Autograph Letter

Classical Music

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