[Rarebooks] FS: 1st edition of Gretry's opera ballet, "La Caravane du Caire" Paris: circa 1784.

[Kenneth Karmiole]

(MUSIC) Gretry, Andre-Ernest-Modeste (composer) and Etienne Morel de Chedeville (librettist). LA CARAVANE DU CAIRE. OPERA BALLET EN TROIS ACTES. Represente a Fontainbleu Devant Leurs Majeste's le 30. Octobre 1783. Et pour la Premiere Fois surle Theatre de l'Academie Royale de Musique le Lundi 12 Janvier 1784... Oeuvre XXII. Prix 24th. Paris: Grave par Huguet Musicien de la Comedie Italienne. Imprime par Basset. No date (circa 1784). First edition. Folio. Completely engraved with a title page, dedication leaf (often lacking), and a 243-page musical score that includes the libretto. Orig. vellum spine (soiled) over marbled paper covered boards, somewhat chipped & soiled. Calf spine label mostly effaced, and a 2" split at the bottom of the outer front hinge, but holding soundly. A catalog of the works of Gretry is on the verso of the dedication leaf. Occasional minor soiling.    $1,000.00 (trade discount allowed)
"La Caravane du Caire" was Gretry's most successful work and by 1829 it had received over 500 performances at the Paris Opera. Tradition has it that the libretto was either partly written by or suggested by the Count of Provence (who would become Louis XVIII of France).

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