ALS in French, signed “I. Tourgueneff,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8, October 31, 1862. Addressed from his Parisian apartment at “rue de Rivoli, 210,” where the writer lived between 1860-1864, a handwritten letter to operatic soprano Julienne Flinsch-Orwil, the student of Turgenev’s muse, the celebrated French opera singer Pauline Viardot. The letter, in full (translated): “You see that I am not such a poor prophet! You have found the happiness that you so well deserve – and we will see each other soon – because I hope that you will come spend at least a part of your honeymoon in Paris. You don't doubt, I am sure, the joy which this good news brought me – and you will believe in the cordial sincerity of the congratulations that I address to you and of my [good] wishes for your future.
Now that the thing is done, I shall tell you that I don't much regret that you did not go to [St.] Petersburg: the climate can be punishing to your health, which is not made of bronze – and then the air of the courts, taken even in small quantities – always has something harmful. The [alternative] is much better – isn't it? All the more that you will not abandon music – and if the public, who gave you such a warm welcome, will no longer enjoy your talents, your friends would lose nothing of them – because your future husband doesn't have the exclusive monopoly – what do you say? It would be too cruel for us others, the former ones.
I have been here for five days – and all the Viardot Family has just arrived. Yesterday the inauguration of the Theatre Lyrique took place – and Mme Viardot sang the fourth act of Orpheus – admirably well. The hall is very beautiful but – I fear it is – a little muffled.
On my return here I found Paulinette [possibly Turgenev's illegitimate daughter] rather plumper – and delighted with her trip. She wants to tell you a thousand things. Louise [possibly Pauline Viardot's oldest daughter] is very well…Ontis – has – I believe – disappeared from the horizon. I am not otherwise angry about that. I have the intention of throwing splendid balls this year…there must be weddings – everywhere…and especially at my house. Adieu, dear Mademoiselle Julienne - or rather au revoir. Recommend me to your tutor, who I would be very happy to know – and receive the expression of my most devoted sentiments.” In fine condition.
An exceptional letter from the great Russian novelist, whose seminal novel Fathers and Sons was published six months earlier in February 1862. Considered one of the best novels in Russian literature, Fathers and Sons explores as its central theme the glaring intellectual, social, and political differences found between generations in mid-nineteenth-century Russian society. Also of interest is the letter’s excellent musical content. Among his support for his young recipient, Turgenev remarks on the recent opening of the new location of the Theatre Lyrique in Paris and praises Viardot's performance of the title role of Orpheus in Hector Berlioz's rearrangement of Christoph Willibald Gluck's 1762 opera Orfeo ed Euridice, known under its 1859 French revival title of Orphee.
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