Charles de BÉRIOT (1802-1870). L.A.S., Brussels... Lot 9

Charles de BÉRIOT (1802-1870). L.A.S., Brussels 2 January 1852, to a friend; 2 pages and a half in 8. He sends him "the requested piece. It is a study which, despite its antiquated appearance, is not a piece of junk [...] This piece was to have been included in my next book of studies, but I will replace it and I am delighted to offer it to you"... As for Dupré's opera [Gilbert Duprez's L'Abîme de la Maladetta, given at La Monnaie on 19 November 1851], he does not know what to say about it: "It is interesting for those who know about it, boring for those who don't, and since by instinct I always like to side with this large number of laymen, I for my part had no great praise to offer you. However, it seemed to me that there were some beautiful things, but many small valleys, never great mountains... In the nuances the orchestra lacks experience and power in the effects of force, the melody lacks clarity and that frank rhythm which makes it memorable...