GOUNOD IN LONDON
GOUNOD, Charles François.
A volume of ten songs bound together, all signed and inscribed by Gounod to Arthur Cecil Blunt.
London, 1870–3.
Ten works in one volume, folio; a few spots here and there, but very good copies; bound with all the original printed wrappers, in contemporary English marbled boards, red morocco label lettered in gilt on upper cover (‘A.C.B. from Ch. Gounod. 1873’); spine and corners renewed in calf.
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A volume of ten songs bound together, all signed and inscribed by Gounod to Arthur Cecil Blunt.
Ten of Gounod’s London-published songs, specially bound for presentation, all signed and inscribed in pencil on the upper wrapper to the English actor Arthur Cecil: ‘To my friend Arthur C. Blunt. Ch, Gounod’.
The songs, of which eight are in English, one in French, and one in Italian, all date from the years 1870–74 when Gounod lived in England, residing for three of those years in the home of Harry and Georgina Weldon (1837–1914) in Tavistock Square, London. Three of the songs here are dedicated to Mrs Weldon, two others are described as ‘sung by Mrs Weldon’, and one is dedicated to her husband. Gounod’s relationship with Georgina Weldon later soured: following his return to Paris, she refused to have his personal belongings sent to him and sued him repeatedly for libel.
Arthur Cecil Blunt (stage name Arthur Cecil, 1843–1896) was an actor, comedian, playwright, and theatre manager, and a friend of both Gilbert and Sullivan. He appeared in numerous comedies, farces, operettas and burlesques, and was particularly active during the years of Gounod’s London stay. He was also acquainted with the Weldons and came for dinner on 31 July 1871, accompanying Gounod to Charing Cross Station afterwards.
The volume comprises:
Maid of Athens, set to Music and dedicated to Byron’s original Maid of Athens, Mrs Black. London, Goddard & Co., [1873]. Pp. 7; plate no. 133.
Loins du pays, (Far from my native Mountains.) Song, the Words and Music by Ch. Gounod. [The English translation by Miss Horace Smith.] London, Goddard & Co., [1873]. Pp. 4; plate no. 154.
A Lay of the early Spring, Words by Miss Horace Smith. London, Rudall, Carte & Co., [1873]. Pp. 9.
Oh, Happy Home! Oh, blessed Flower! Song, Verses by Ed. Maitland. London, Rudall, Carte & Co., [1872]. Pp. 7, [1 (advertisements)].
If thou art sleeping Maiden awake! Words by Longfellow. London, Goddard & Co., [1873]. Pp. 5, [1 (advertisements)]; plate no. 153.
Passed away, Song, the Words by Edwin Saunders. London, Lamborn Cock & Co., [1872]. Pp. 5; plate no. 808a.
La fauvette, chanson, paroles de Millevoye. London, Novello, Ewer & Co., [1870]. Pp. 5, [1 (advertisements)]; plate no. 4738.
When in the early Morn, Song, written by Edward Maitland. London, Wood & Co., [1870]. Pp. 7, [1 (advertisements)]; plate no. 1579.
The Better Land, Song, Verses by Felicia Hemans. London, Duff & Stewart, [c. 1870]. Pp. 9; plate no. 3445.
Biondina, canzonetta, parole di Giuseppe Zaffira. London, Duff & Stewart, [1873]. Pp. 7, [1 (advertisements)]; plate no. 3446.
