Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949). L.A.S., Paris March 27, to Alfred Bruneau; 1 page in-8; in French. "Arrived ill; and an inflammation of the throat has become so bad, that I can no longer go out. I am only going by car to the rehearsal and would be happy to finish the concert without danger. But it is impossible to visit you and to tell you about the great suites of your Prelude Messidor, which I played on a tour through Austria, Italy etc. about 25 times and always with great success. Will I see you tomorrow morning at the dress rehearsal or the concert? I would not want to leave Paris on Sunday evening without shaking your hand.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.