Massenet, Jules

the autograph vocal score, dating from 1873, and bearing the title "l'adorable Belboul. Grand Partition!", written in black ink on four four-stave systems per page, for the characters Ali Bazar, Fatime, Zai Za, Hassan and Sidi Toupi, comprising seven numbers including the Ensemble Final, together with autograph additions and revisions dating from 1887, including the addition of an Ouverture notated for piano four hands (partly printed), and revised passages inserted on slips of paper, with spoken cues for the numbers, 

46 pages in all (including titles and four pages of printed music for the Ouverture), c.34.5 x 26.5cm, 26-stave paper and 18-stave paper (for the Ouverture), red roan gilt, spine and hinge defective 

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Unpublished and hitherto believed lost; This is indeed a Massenet discovery: the work is  described as "destroyed" in the work-list in The New Grove;  

L'adorable Belboul was performed in Paris at the Cercle des Mirlitons on 17 April 1873.  The title page is signed by Massenet and by the librettist Gallet. Massenet dedicates the work to Madame Paul Poirson, wife of the poet,  He later rediscovered and revised the work, noting on the title page "partition revue...avec étonnement et...admiration...en mars 1887!...J. Massenet"

comprising No.1 Air; No.2 Duettino; No.3 Aubade (without music); No.4 Invocation Terzetto; No.5 Couplets; No.6 Grand Duo; No.7 Ensemble Final; together with the "Ouverture 4 mains" added by Massenet in 1887.