DUKAS Paul (1865 - 1935) Lot n° 46

L.A.S., June 7, 1911, to Serge de DIAGHILEW at the Hotel Brighton; 3 pages in-12 at his address, envelope. About La Péri for the Ballets Russes. [Commissioned by Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes, the production of La Péri, with scenery and costumes by Léon Bakst, and Natacha Trouhanova in the title role, was fi nally cancelled, Diaghilev being dissatisfied with the dancer. The ballet was staged on April 22, 1912 at the Châtelet with Trouhanova, choreographed by Ivan Clustine, and with scenery and costumes by René Piot]. "Only five days separate us from the eventual performance of La Péri. Nothing is settled. Nothing is signed. Moreover, I have found on your side difficulties that I have never encountered anywhere else in my musical career. They are good to surprise me since it is you who asked me for my work. It does not please me to be treated with such condescension and to seem to owe to your spirit of sacrifice what I did not ask for. And as there is not enough time to smooth out so many diffi cultes and to give my work a satisfactory execution, I withdraw it purely and simply and assure you of the gratitude that I retain for your intentions"...