SAINT-SAËNS Camille (1835-1921). Pianist, organist, composer - Lot 100

SAINT-SAËNS Camille (1835-1921). Pianist, organist, composer. 2 L.A.S. [to Meurice], Geneva, July 15, 1892 and (s.l.n.d.). 5 pp. in-folio on checked paper. Correspondence evoking his musical tours and his plans for a composition on the libretto of "Le Roi d'Edone". "(...) You admitted to me that you weren't always writing: that makes me feel a little more at ease with you; a little, not a lot! The story of this infinitely delayed reply is almost as complicated as that of the triumphant Fanfan la Tulipe, and I have in common with him that I seem to have all the blame, whereas I am innocent as the child who has just been born (...)". He goes on to recount his return to France, crossing Marseille and passing through Toulouse, where he organized "two major concerts". He recalls his brief stay in Paris, happy to be in Geneva: "At last I'm settled in, at peace, I can take Fanfan and read him at my leisure. Horror! He's still in Paris! [...]" In the letter to Meurice, he wonders "Il eut ce qu'on te donne cet autre roi d'Edone parce que je ne sais pas qui était le Roi d'Edone que l'écriture même d'Edone est inconnu moi (...)". He fears that the audience will be lost, and goes on to say that the piece will produce "the effect you expect". Etc.