Sold For $750
*Includes Buyers Premium
ALS in French, signed “H. Berlioz,” one page, 3.5 x 4.5, June 23, 1855. Handwritten letter from London to Francois Hippolyte Rety, treasurer of the Paris Conservatoire. In part (translated): "I thought I could be back in Paris at the end of this month, but a third concert that someone has engaged me to conduct at the Covent Garden Theatre will obligate me to remain here until the 8th. I will leave on the 9th; can you wait for me until the 10th, so that I do not lose my engagements for June? You would help me a lot by doing so." In fine condition.
Berlioz first visited London in 1847, beginning a close musical association that led to several return trips over the next decade; most notably, in 1854 he was invited to conduct for the New Philharmonic Society, declining a longer engagement with the Old Philharmonic Society—later taken up by Richard Wagner—because of this prior commitment.
During the spring of 1855, while both composers were conducting rival societies in London, Berlioz and Wagner shared a rare moment of personal and artistic camaraderie following Wagner’s final concert on 25 June. Berlioz conducted his final London concert at Covent Garden on July 6, 1855, an orchestral program featuring works by Weber, Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini, and others, alongside two of his own compositions. Although he departed England intending to return, circumstances prevented further visits, making 1855 his last appearance in London.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$250.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
