Camille Saint-Saëns, 2 ALSs With Great Musical Content! Ballet "Javotte" & École Niedermeyer

Two autograph letters in French signed by Romantic composer Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) featuring interesting musical content! The first letter, inscribed on the back of a Paris city-wide telegram, is undated but the postmark indicates a date of ca. December 28, 1882; it is almost certainly addressed to Gustave Lefèvre, then director of the prestigious musical school, the École Niedermeyer. The second letter on stationery is undated but probably dates from ca. 1896 since it mentions attending a performance of "Javotte," a ballet whose musical score was composed by Saint-Saëns. Expected wear including gentle flattened folds and wrinkles, else near fine. The largest letter measures 4.5" x 6." With provenance information from R.M. Smythe & Co. dating from May 2007.

The letters include, in chronological order

1. A 1p autograph letter signed by Saint-Saëns as "C. Saint-Saëns" on the back of a Paris city-wide telegram with an integral address leaf. [December 28, 1882]. [Paris, France.] On blue paper with a cancelled pre-printed stamp, and bearing several philatelic markings. Minor wear, else near fine. Unfolded measures 4.375" x 5.125."

Saint-Saëns's correspondent was almost certainly his friend and fellow French composer, Gustave Lefèvre (1831-1910), addressed to him at the École Niedermeyer. This school in Paris specializing in religious musical composition, choral arrangement, instruments, and music history was established by Swiss composer Louis Niedermeyer (1802-1861) in 1853. After marrying Niedermeyer's daughter Suzanne, Lefèvre served as the director of his father-in-law's former school from 1865-1910.

Translated in part:

"Please forgive me for tomorrow, dear friend. I am not dining at anyone's without exception - I didn't have your address, which is why I didn't reply to you. Present, I beg you, my apologies and regrets to Madame Niedermeyer. With a thousand best wishes, C. Saint-Saëns."

2. A 4pp autograph letter boldly signed by Saint-Saëns as "C. Saint-Saëns" at the center of the two inner pages, above a fanciful paraph. The large signature measures approximately 4.5" x 1" alone. N.d., n.p. On bifold stationery with a "B.D." monogram blind-embossed at the top. Expected light wear including a few ghost ink impressions and other negligible stray marks, else near fine. 4.5" x 6."

Saint-Saëns wrote an unknown friend, translated in part:

"Dear friend,

When your letter arrived, the Princess Bibesco was waiting for me below in the carriage to take me to the Countess d'Eu's. I couldn't make her wait. Please forgive me…

C. Saint-Saëns

Are you feeling better enough, and can you come tomorrow to hear 'Javotte'? If not, send your children to attend."

"Javotte" was a 1-act, 3-scene ballet pastoral, with music composed by Saint-Saëns and libretto by Jean-Louis Croze, which debuted in 1896 and is still highly regarded by modern music critics. The "Princesse Bibesco" referred to Princess Elena (Hélène) Bibesco (1855-1902), the Romanian expatriate concert pianist whose Parisian salon attracted the greatest European composers, authors, and artists of the day, including Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy, Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt, and Charles Gounod.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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