ALS in French, two pages, 5 x 6, no date. Handwritten letter to his publisher and benefactor Georges Hartmann, in part: "As you must know, we have come, my wife and I, quite far from home and we have presented our respects to the Florentine pearl. I have naturally not received anything from Colonne—perhaps he is dodging. As for Pelleas, it would be unfortunate if I were not completely in agreement with you, and you may rest assured that we would…with all our strength (as in William Tell). What you say to me about my life and happenings is excessively correct. And be assured that, for your good, I shall do all I can. Besides, only incidents of very miserable materialism could occur unaffectedly, and then?" In fine condition, with a short split to the central horizontal fold, and light toning from prior display.
In this significant letter, Debussy refers to the conductor and violinist Edouard Colonne, who in 1873, along with Hartmann, founded the 'Concert National' at the Odéon Théatre. He also makes references to his celebrated five-act opera, Pelléas et Mélisande, adapted from Maurice Maeterlinck's Symbolist play of the same title. It is the only opera he ever completed, and is considered a landmark in 20th-century music. The opera debuted at the Opera-Comique in Paris in 1902.
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