Massenet, Jules

MASSENET, JULES. Quotation signed and inscribed ("Charlotte: Werther!.. Werther!... [acte 3], J. Massenet, Paris, 19 Juin /93"), two bars for soprano notated on a single hand-drawn stave, 1 page, oblong 8vo (c.11 x 18cm), Paris, 19 June 1893, a few creases; together with two letters signed, one to Hanslick, written two days after the première of Werther in Vienna, and regretting missing him ("...je verrais remercier Madame Hanslick de l'excellente réunion d'hier soir..."), in pencil, on a printed visiting card, Vienna, 18 February 1892; and one about an article by a musician ("Cher Maître"), regretting that he was unable to play piano duets with him, 2 pages, 8vo, Paris, 31 January 1883--OFFENBACH, JACQUES.  Two autograph letters signed, one to Hanslick, in French and German, urging him to hear Josephine Gallmeyer and Karolin Tellheim [in La Princesse de Trébizonde at the Carlstheater in 1871] ("...Du mußt kommen..."), 1 page, 8vo, embossed letter-head, [Vienna, 1871],  and one to Ritt (a letter of recommendation for the actress Hélène Therval), 2 pages, 16mo, no place or date [before 1876]; together with autograph letters signed by Halévy (to the court horn-player at Dresden, [Joseph Rudolphe] Lewy, 1 page, 8vo, Paris, 17 January 1842) and by Beranger,

7 items, 1832-1893, where dated.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Massenet's musical quotation comes from the opening of Act 3 of Werther, where Charlotte is found reading Werther's letters on Christmas Eve, remembering that she had sent him away and married Albert.  It was first given, not in French, but in German at the Hofoper, Vienna, on 16 February 1892, only two days preceding Massenet's letter to Hanslick.  Eduard Hanslick, the doyen of Viennese music critics, thought that no German composer had hitherto come to grips with Goethe's story of the  Werther, as Massenet had done.