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three books with illustrations of a man on a horse and a woman on a horsean old book with a picture of a man sitting in a chairan open book with a black and white photo of a lampan open book with a black and white picture on ita book with pictures of people and animals on itan open book with pictures of people dressed in traditional clothingan image of a picture of a book with pictures of people in traditional clothingopera russe paris theatre des champs elyesan open book with a list of the names of various countries on itan old book with a picture of a man riding a bikean open book with a picture of a man in a hat and coatan open book with pictures of people and a picture of a man holding a tennis racqueta book with a picture of a group of people in a buildinga book with a picture of a group of people in itan old book with a black and white image on itopera russe paris theatre des champs elyes, vol 2an open book with a black and white title on itan open book with a picture of a castle on itan open book with a picture of a castle and a clock toweran old book with a picture of a man riding a horse drawn carriagean open book with pictures of people and a statue in itan old book with a black and white image of a bird on it
Hermitage Fine Art

970 - [RUSSIAN OPERA IN PARIS], three programmes
See original version (French)

Estimate €150 - €200
Sale commission
Description
[RUSSIAN OPERA IN PARIS], three programmes Programme for the first season, 1929 / Opéra privé de Paris. Paris, [1928]. Colour illustrations based on the designs by I. Bilibin for ‘Tsar Saltan’ and by K. Korovin for ‘Prince Igor’ and ‘The Snow Maiden’. Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Paris: published by the advertising and theatre agency, [1930]. Programme for the opera ‘Sadko’, colour illustrations based on designs by A. Benois. Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. 2nd season. Paris: published by the advertising and theatre agency, [1930]. Programme for the opera ‘Prince Igor’, colour illustrations based on designs by I. Bilibin. The role of Prince Galitsky was sung by Fyodor Shalyapin. This was one of the great singer’s most iconic roles, and his performance has gone down in the history of opera. In French. 32 x 25 cm. The three programmes in the publisher’s illustrated covers designed by I. Bilibin. Good condition. Slight scuffing, soiling and tears to the covers along the spines. The ‘Russian Opera in Paris’ was an opera company active from 1929 to 1934. Founded under the name ‘Opéra privé de Paris’, it was known as ‘Opéra russe à Paris’ from 1930 to 1932, then simply ‘Opéra russe’ in 1933–1934. Its founders were the soprano Maria Kuznetsova-Benois, a former soloist at the Mariinsky, and the former St Petersburg impresario Alexei Tsereteli. Financial support came from Kuznetsova’s husband, the millionaire Alfred Massenet, who succeeded in attracting eminent émigré Russian singers, including K.D. Zaporojets, L.M. Sibiriakov, M.B. Cherkasskaya, N.S. Ermolenko-Yuzhina and, in 1930, F.I. Chaliapin. In 1929, the company staged four operas at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées: Borodin’s *Prince Igor*, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s *The Snow Maiden*, *Kitezh* and *Tsar Saltan*. The costumes and sets were designed by K. Korovin and I. Bilibin; Michel Fokine choreographed the ‘Polovtsian Dances’. The performances were a great success. At the buyer’s request, we shall be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a full assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
See original version (French)
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About the sale RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS: Antique books § Autographs, rare editions, photographs § Works on paper
Auction location
Auction time 10/29/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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