Original work:Charles Gounod (1818-93), Mireille, opera in
five acts, libretto by Michel Carré after
Frédéric Mistral, first played at the
Théâtre-Lyrique on 19-3-1864. It was not a
success until it was eventually transferred to the Opéra-Comique in 1889 in a much revised version.
Transcription:It is not certain that the transcription is by Bizet.
No arranger’s name is given in the score, but Bizet had arranged Gounod’s
previous opera, La Reine de Saba, and he was on close terms
with the composer throughout the period leading to the opera’s first
performance. A letter from Gounod to
Choudens strongly suggests that
Bizet arranged the overture, from which it is
reasonable to guess that he was responsible for the entire vocal
score.
Autograph score:not known
Printed scores:
1
pl. no.:
A.C. 1005
pages
title page, blank, dedication, blank, Table, music p. 2–228
date: 1864
ann.:Bibliographie de la France, 21-8-1869 @ 6
fr.
2
There were many issues of the first edition, and many later editions,
variously in four and three acts. No arranger is credited in any of
them.
Letter:
31-1-1864, Gounod to Choudens:
'Gounod, qui sort d'une grippe, vient d'envoyer l'ouverture [de Mireille]
à Bizet.'
The George Arents Research Library, Syracuse University, NY.