[Boulanger, Nadia. (1887–1979)] Chagall, Marc.
Hommage à Nadia Boulanger - 1967 Program with Original Chagall Lithograph
Deluxe printed program for the September 30, 1967 "Hommage à Nadia Boulanger...à l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo." Organized by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco in honor of Nadia Boulanger's 80th birthday, the concert featured performances by Yehudi Menuhin, Igor Markevitch, Mattiwilda Dobbs and others. The program, stamped # 43 of an unknown limited edition, includes reproduced autograph tributes to Boulanger (Paul Valery, Louis de Vilmoin, St. John Perse/Alexis Leger etc.) and a richly colored original lithograph by Marc Chagall, signed in the plate by the artist and titled "Pour Nadia Boulanger 1967." Stiff wrappers bound with a silk rope, in very fine condition throughout. 24 x 32 cm. Rare."The evening was a spectacular success. Both the dinner, featuring a cake with eighty white candles, and the Monte Carlo Opera gala that followed had been meticulously planned. The lovingly-prepared program booklet carried a special dedication to Nadia by one of her favorite poets, St.-John Perse (the pseudonym of Alexis Léger), and a brightly- colored lithograph created especially for the occasion by Chagall, one of her favorite artists. Menuhin and Markevitch had chosen works by Bach, Monteverdi, Mozart, Fauré, and Jean Franczid for the program...Princess Grace herself escorted Nadia to the royal box with its plush velvet upholstery. There they joined Prince Rainier and Queen Marie-José of Italy. Nadia was deeply touched when the entire audience rose in tribute to her as she entered the hall. Alexis Léger, Aaron Copland, Elliott Carter, Louis Talma, Janet Flanner, the Menuhin and Markevitch families, Virgil Thomson, Louis de Vilmorin, Chagall, Beveridge Webster and a host of other notables were there. At the end of the musical program, Nadia was called on stage, where she was elevated to the rank of commander of the French Légion d'honneur, one of the few women ever to achieve that status." (Léonie Rosensteil, "Nadia Boulanger," p. 393 - 394) (6291)
Program, unsigned Classical Music