DEBUSSY, Claude (1862-1918)

DEBUSSY, Claude (1862-1918)

Autograph note signed « Claude Debussy » to Jean Périer
N.p., 29 Oct. [19]06, 1/2 p. in-12° on blue laid paper, in black ink
Central fold mark

An affectionate note from the composer to Jean Périer, the first performer of Pelléas

« Mon cher monsieur Périer,
Si j’ai manqué de mémoire au sujet des 20 frs. – que vous trouverez ci-joints-, croyez bien que je n’ai pas oublié le Pelléas qui répétait au “n°12” [a reference to the last tableau of the fifth act], et auquel j’adresse ici mes sincères remerciements et mon meilleur souvenir.
Claude Debussy »

The premiere of Pelléas et Mélisande took place on 30 April 1902 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, conducted by André Messager. Regarded by Debussy as a drame lyrique, this opera — his most celebrated work — is divided into five acts and twelve tableaux. It represents a modern transposition of the legend of Tristan and Iseult. Jean Périer (1869–1954) created the role of Pelléas opposite Mary Garden (1874–1967) as Mélisande.
In this note, Debussy refers to the barytone’s rehearsals for a revival of the work, in which Périer was to resume his role for a series of eight performances given between 1 November and 30 December 1906, this time under the direction of Franz Ruhlmann. Of the 107 performances of Pelléas et Mélisande staged during Debussy’s lifetime, Périer appeared as Pelléas on ninety-three occasions.