BERLIOZ (Hector). - Lot 245

BERLIOZ (Hector). Autograph letter signed to his sister Nanci Pal, dated Paris April 3, 1850, 4 p. in-8. Envelope. Letter on his musical activities, Hugo and Dumas père to his ailing sister. To distract her, he's going to tell her everything he's been doing lately. Always rehearsals, always concerts, and fortunately always a great success. This very success exasperates to the point of rage the two or three enemies I have left. "Among these enemies, he singles out Paul Scudo, ... who, not content with attacking my music with fury in L'Ordre and the Revue des deux mondes, has, I am told, just published, not a brochure, but a volume [Critique et littérature musicales], to demonstrate that I don't know music and that everything I write is abominable and stupid...". He announces the forthcoming premiere performance of his Te Deum at Saint-Eustache (this will not take place until 1855), then recalls an evening at Hugo's: The evening before yesterday I spent at Hugo's, where I met our compatriot Ponsart. (...) Hugo's salon is not very entertaining, despite the charming kindness of Mme Hugo and the extreme grace of her daughter [Adèle Hugo]. His two sons are two very smug young men, very preoccupied with their father's illustration, if not their own merit. As for him, he is as he has always been with me, very cordial though serious... Correspondance générale, ed. by P. Citron, t. III, letter 1319, p. 702. Enclosed: advertisement. Complete works of Hector Berlioz. Imprimerie Centrale de Napoléon (Chaix), 1852. A two-page folio, small folio, 25 works described.