Le Bucheron, ou les trois souhaits. Comédie en un Acte Mêlées d'Ariettes. Représentée à Versailles devant leurs Majestés, le mardi 15 Mars 1763, par les Comédiens Italiens ordinaires du Roy. Paroles de Mrs. G.[uichard] et C.[astet]. [Partitur]

Author: François-André Danican Philidor (1726-1795) signed

Year: 1763

Publisher: Chez L'Auteur et Mr. Le Clerc

Place: Paris

Description:

iv unnumbered pages (including Title page)+80 pages. Folio (13 1/4" x 10") bound in paisley green  with green label to spine in gilt lettering. (RISM P 1811) Signed. First edition.

François-André Danican Philidor was a French composer and chess player. He contributed to the early development of the opéra comique. He is widely regarded as the best chess player of his age; his book Analyse du jeu des Échecs was considered a standard chess manual for at least a century. A well-known chess opening, an endgame position, and a checkmate method are all named after him.

First edition of this score dedicated to the Dauphin of the time, i.e. Louis de France (1729-1765), son of Louis XV and father of Louis XVI. It was performed at Versailles "before their Majesties" on 15 March 1763.

Philidor, considered to be one of the creators of comic opera, obtained his first success with Blaise le Savetier in 1759 and thus a pension from Louis XV. He went on to have many successes, including this work.

On the back of the title page is a period (merchant) label of Christophe Le Menu de Saint Philibert (ca.1720-1774) under the sign "A la clef d'or". He was notably a composer and music merchant for Madame la Dauphine and sought out "old operas" which he sold. His activity continued after his death, his widow and his son-in-law, Charles-Georges Boyer, having taken over the business. Boyer sold the business in 1796.

Condition: Signature to title Corner bumped Minor defects such as some slight foxing stain (somewhat more visible on the first IV unnumbered pages and on page 1), some light stains on the Title Page near the lower inner corner and the upper outer corner, and a small ink stain in the middle of page 15 that also affects page 14 else very good of an rare chess related piece.