French composer (1818-1893) best remembered for his composition of 'Ave Maria.' ALS in French, signed “Ch. Gounod,” one page, 5.25 x 8.25, Ville de Paris, Ecoles Communales letterhead, May 18, 1855. Untranslated handwritten letter from Charles Gounod to French musicologist and critic Joseph d'Ortigue. In fine condition.
In the March 27, 1859 issue of the influential French music journal Le Ménestrel, d'Ortigue offered a glowing critique of Gounod: ‘Monsieur Gounod writes as a man who possesses in equal measure the language of intelligence and the language of the ear, the language of words and the language of sounds. He phrases perfectly his recitatives, he knows how to cut a dialogue, he knows the power of the accent and the power of versification. The poetic phrase is itself embedded in his musical phrase. This means that to all the science, to all the inspiration which make the great musician, Monsieur Gounod adds the qualities which make the cultivated man. One understands that, as well as the beauties of his music, he possesses the highest feelings for the beauties of the other arts.’
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