L'Art, ou les principes philosophiques du chant
Paris, Augustin-Martin Lottin, Michel Lambert and Nicolas-Bonaventure Duchesne, 1756 ('IIe Edition, corrigée et augmentée', but in fact the first complete edition).
Duodecimo, xlviii, 148, [4] pages plus an engraved plate showing the anatomy of the respiratory tract.
Early mottled calf; spine tooled in gilt with morocco lettering-piece; gilt triple fillet border to sides, with corner-pieces; minor wear to the extremities; front joint cracking slightly at the head (but firm); plate a little browned; a few light spots of foxing; early clipped ownership signature on the front pastedown (possibly 'Mde de Vaurelle'); in very good condition.
Part of this treatise on vocal technique and interpretation appeared in 1755 under the title 'L'art du chant, dedié a Madame de Pompadour', with the authorship attributed to vocal teacher Jean-Antoine Bérard. In the present edition, much expanded, the abbé Joseph Blanchet furiously asserts his authorship in a scathing 'Avertissement', accusing Bérard of publishing his (Blanchet's) manuscripts without authorisation. Contemporary accounts suggest that Blanchet agreed to sell his work to Bérard, and was prompted to publish this new edition under his own name when the latter failed to pay. Blanchet's authorship is broadly accepted, in part because the book's scientific treatment of the physiology of singing is more in keeping with the work of an erudite Jesuit physician (Blanchet) than with a former chorus member and singer of comprimario roles (Bérard). See Beverly Jerold: 'Mystery in Paris, the German Connection and More: The Berard-Blanchet Controversy Revisited', in 'Eighteenth-Century Music' 2, No. 1, 2005.
Item #130049
Price (AUD):
$1,350.00