CHARLES GOUNOD - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED CIRCA 1866 - HFSID 67269

CHARLES GOUNOD
Signed autograph letter to a fellow Parisian, circa 1866, regretting that he hasn't time to compose a piece for him
Autograph Letter signed: "Ch. Gounod", 2p (front and verso), 4x5½. No place, no date. Envelope addressed to: “Monsieur de Chenevières-/ à l'Exposition des Beaux-Arts,/ Palace de l'Industrie,/ Paris”. To “Dear friend”. In French, translated in full: “I am very sorry. In the first place I don't have a minute to give at this time to the composition that you request and that would require a certain amount of time - and secondly, a [one word difficult to decipher] of that nature isn't possible to do for a choir for which I don't know the resources. A thousand regrets, and thank you for the card that you sent me- I hope to see you at a social gathering one of these days. Warm regards". Dated (unknown hand): 1868 in pencil. Pencil note “GOU” in unknown hand.Lightly soiled. Horizontal fold crease through center. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by original mailing envelope, 4¼x2¾, with French 10-centime stamp and illegible postmark.Soiled. Top left corner torn and top edge torn. Mounting stains on verso. Otherwise, fine condition. French composer Charles Gounod (1818-1893) is best known for his religious works and operas, including Faust (1959), Mireille (1864) and Romeo and Juliet (1867). Later in his life, Gounod, who had lived in England from 1870-1875, wrote his famous musical setting of "Ave Maria". He also wrote oratorios, symphonies and chamber music. Two items.