BIZET Georges (1838-1875) Lot n° 8

L.A.S. "Georges Bizet", Paris [for Rome], January 30, 1858, to Antoine- François MARMONTEL; 3 pages and a half in-12 on blue paper. Very beautiful letter to his first piano teacher, written at the age of twenty when he had just arrived at the French Academy in Rome. [Antoine-François MARMONTEL (1816-1898) was one of the most famous pianists and teachers at the Paris Conservatoire. His most famous students included the Spanish virtuoso and composer Isaac Albéniz, Vincent d'Indy and the young prodigy Georges Bizet]. "Dear Master, I arrived happily in Rome the day before yesterday, and I hasten to send you a small visiting card. I thought of you on the 17th. Even though I was far away, I drank to your health and joined your family celebration with all my heart. Unfortunately, it seems that my wishes were not fulfilled, for my mother tells me that you have been very unwell since I left. Do not tire yourself too much, dear master. Think more about yourself and less about your students. Forgive me if I dare to make such a recommendation; but who knows more than I the dedication you bring to your classes and your lessons. I was very pleased to hear of the great success of Le Médecin malgré lui [by GOUNOD], have you heard it? I am afraid that your health did not allow you to do so. As for me, I had a splendid trip. I visited Lyon, Vienne, Valence, Orange, Avignon, the Fountain of Vaucluse, Nîmes, the Pont du Gard, Arles, Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Genoa, Pisa, Lucca, Pistoja, Florence, Perugia, Terni, etc., etc. You see that I have not wasted any time. I will soon give you details of life at the French Academy in Rome, I am only just settling in. If you have a moment, think of me, I will be very happy to hear from you, and also tell me how Madame Marmontel is doing, to whom I beg you to send a thousand compliments. Don't forget me near Messrs Charles, Laget, etc., etc., the whole class. Tell Dubois to work hard [...] Goodbye dear master, see you soon, and take care. Your devoted and affectionate pupil Georges Bizet ".