MASSENET JULES: (1842-1912)

MASSENET JULES: (1842-1912) French composer of the Romantic era. A.L.S., J. Massenet, to the recto of his personal printed oblong 12mo Visiting Card, featuring his printed name to the centre and address at Rue Malesherbes (Paris) at the base, n.d., to a friend, in French. Massenet writes, in full, 'Absolument oblige de rester a l'opera pour affaire-serieuse et tres interessante, peux-tu m'excuser aupres de Delair (et aupres de toi) et peut-etre compter sur ton devoue musicien tous les autres soirs de l'annee!!' (Translation: 'Absolutely obliged to stay at the opera on serious and very interesting business, can you excuse me to Delair (and to you) and perhaps count on your devoted musician every other evening of the year!!'). VG Massenet may well refer to Paul Delair (1842-1894) French playwright, poet, chansonnier and novelist who was an administrator at the Academie des Beaux-Arts.