BERLIOZ HECTOR: (1803-1869) French Composer. L.S., H. Berlioz, with partial holograph salutation ('M...

BERLIOZ HECTOR: (1803-1869) French Composer. L.S., H. Berlioz, with partial holograph salutation ('Monsieur'), one page, 8vo, Paris, 15th June 1844, to a gentleman, in French. The form printed letter announces 'I organise a great festival which will take place at the end of July in the room of the Exposition in the Champs-Elysees' and continues 'On this occasion, it would be nice to be able to unite all the musical talents existing in Paris and thus obtain an execution of the masterpieces whose programme is largely composed, worthy of both our capital and the current state of art'. Berlioz further informs his correspondent that a mass of 400 choristers have already been assembled, 'but its action shall be doubled if the main artists and professors - the honour of our lyrical scenes and of our schools - shall consent to appear at the heads of the various groups singing to guide them with their soul and voice', and adds 'It is this favour, Sir, that I dare to ask of your love of art and your kindness towards me'. In a postscript the composer asks for a reply to his letter before 1st July, and instructs that it should be sent to Mr. Ferriere, secretary of the festival, at the conservatory. Some light overall creasing, minor age wear and staining, none of which adversely affect the signature, G £600-900 The present letter was written during a busy period of Berlioz's life; his highly influential Treatise on Instrumantation was published in early 1844 and it was also in this year that the composer met with his close friend, composer Mikhail Glinka, in Paris. Glinka persuaded Berlioz to embark on one of two tours of Russia, resulting in the French composer jokingly remarking 'If the Emperor of Russia wants me, then I am up for sale'.