Finding Aids

Biographical Sketch

A. (Adrien) Barthe (1828-1898), a pseudonym for Grat-Norbert Barthe. Barthe began his music studies with piano and composition lessons, and eventually became a student of Leborne at the Paris Conservatory. In 1854 he took first prize in composition at the Rome Institute with a cantata entitled Francesca de Rimini. His later oratorio Judith and opera Don Carlos also won acclaim. Halévy praised Don Carlos as “…well written, instrumentated with care…and giving true hope for M. Barthe’s future…”. After his return from Rome, Barthe attempted to work in the theater, but to no avail until 1864, when his opera la Fiancée d’Abydos won first prize in a competition, and was subsequently staged at the Theater-Lyrique on December 30, 1865. Due to a weak libretto,however, la Fiancée d’Abydos never attained a place in the repertoire and it was shortly thereafter that Barthe decided to discontinue his career as a composer. He married Mlle. Banderali, daughter of the singer of that name, who had herself achieved a considerable reputation in her father’s field. Norbert took up a career as a teacher, apparently working for the French government as well, in which connection he published his composition text. [sources: Lavignac I/3, Fetis Suppl., Pazdirek, Baker’s]

 

Provenance

This collection was purchased by Sibley Library in 1983 from the dealer, aGatherin’, of Wyantsville, New York. No further information regarding provenance was provided by the dealer.

 

Scope and Content

The collection consists of published works, manuscripts and materials relating to a composition text. In addition to a piece for piano four hands and a set of pieces for oboe and piano, the published works also include an autographed copy of Barthe’s prize winning opera la Fiancée d’Abydos. The bulk of manuscripts consist of songs for voice and piano, and the composition text materials are sketches and entries Barthe used for a composition contest in 1898. The material is of interest to the study of nineteenth-century French opera and especially art song as practiced by a minor but respected composer.

 

Restrictions and Use

There are no restrictions on the use of the collection.

 

Associations

The Library owns the library of the French music critic and author, Arthur Pougin (1834-1921), which was purchased in 1923. The contents of the library were dispersed through the library’s collections.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SERIES

Series 1: Published Music

This series includes a small number of the published works of Barthe. They have been arranged according to genre in the following order: opera, piano, other instrumental.

 

Series 2: Manuscript Music

These manuscripts include exclusively unpublished works by Barthe. They arranged first into vocal works, which predominate, and instrumental works. Within those categories the arrangement is chronological. A small number of fragments are included at the end.

 

Series 3: Composition Text

The series includes both manuscript and printed material, apparently publisher proofs, relating to Barthe’s composition text. The material is exceedingly diverse in nature and has been grouped into broad categories by type.

 

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INVENTORY

Series 1: Published music

Box 1

folder 1	La fiancée d’abydos. Opera en 4 actes de Jules Adenis . Musique de de A. Barthe. Paris: Choudens, n.p.n.
folder 2	Pays Basque. Esquisses musicales pour piano á 4 mains par A. Barthe. Paris: Alphonse Leduc, p.n. A.L. 10.013. Five copies.
folder 3	Idylle, from Six piéces pour piano et hautbois. Paris: Legouix, p.n. B.P. 5067 (1).
folder 4	Legende, from Six piéces pour piano et hautbois. Paris: Legouix, p.n. B.P. 5067 (2).
folder 5	Bourrée, from Six piéces pour piano et hautbois. Paris: Legouix, p.n. B.P. 5067 (3).
folder 6	Le Berger, from Six piéces pour piano et hautbois. Paris: Legouix, p.n. B.P. 5067 (4).
folder 7	Couvre feu, from Six piéces pour piano et hautbois. Paris: Legouix, p.n. B.P. 5067 (5).
folder 8	Scherzo, from Six piéces pour piano et hautbois. Paris: Legouix, p.n. B.P. 5067 (6).
folder 9	Six piéces pour piano et hautbois. Paris: Legouix, p.n. B.P. 5067 (1-6).

Series 2: Manuscripts

Vocal Music

folder 10	No title, “They sat by the bank of the river, the bright birds were singing above…”, Paris, October 14, 1878.
folder 11	Esperance, “Mon âme…o douce…”, Paris, 1882.
folder 12	Berceuse, “Dors, dors, dans ton berceau…”, Paris, 1883. Original draft.
	Moderato, “Dors, dors, dans ton berceau…”, n.p., n.d. Fine copy.
folder 13	No title, “Vous souvient-il un peu de ce que vous disiez…”, Paris, October 24, 1884. Original draft.
	No title, “Vous souvient-il un peu de ce que vous disiez…”, Paris, October 24,1884. Fine copy.
folder 14	Trois jours de vendange, “Je l’ai rencontrée un jour de vendange…”, Paris, December 1, 1884.
folder 15	No title, “Mon secret chéri ne saurait se dire…”, Paris, 1885.
folder 16	Aux petits enfants, “Enfants d’un jour o nouveau nés…”, Paris, June 1, 1885.
folder 17	Bocquillon dans l’embarras, “L’autre jour en permission nom de nom…”, Paris, February 16, 1886.
folder 18	These two songs are composed on the same manuscript.
	Le depart des hirondelle, “L’été s’en va, les hirondelles s’en vont aussi…”, Paris, December 18, 1886.
	[illeg.], [illeg.], Paris, January 17, 1887.
folder 19	The Song of Death, “The birds in the tree-tops are singing…”, Paris: June 30, 1886.
folder 20	These two songs are composed on the same manuscript.
	Point…, “Je voudrais bien, ma tante belle…”, Paris, February 20, 1887
	La chanson de Maia, “Assise, un soir, sur le rivage…, Paris, February 27, 1887.
folder 21	These two songs are composed on the same manuscript.
	Aubade, “J’ai vu la nuit, ouvrant les yeux…”, Paris, May 19, 1887
	La chanson du Printemps, “Quand vous verrez de la fenêtre…”, Paris, May 22, 1889.
folder 22	These two songs are composed on the same manuscript.
	Doux messages, “Avez vous a matin dans la parc solitaire…”, Paris, January 11, 1888.
	L’amour et la vie, “Pour tant l’aimer qu’est-ce donc que la vie…”, Paris, May 24, 1889.
folder 23	Arithmetic song, “12 times 2 are 24…”, Paris, May 1889.
folder 24	These two songs are composed on the same manuscript.
	[illeg.], “Lorsque je vivais (?) loin de vous…”, n.p., July 9, 1893.
	Dandelions & Timothy, “Up from the green of the tender grass…”, Paris, March 20, 1892.
folder 25	Marseilles, “O…je veux chanter tes…”, Paris, March 7, 1892.
folder 26	Toujours, “Les plus belles fleurs se flétres…”, [illeg.], September 23, 1892.
folder 27	These two songs are composed on the same manuscript.
	Fais l’ame pur ami [du soir?], “Un proverbe…”, Paris, December 22, 1895.
	[illeg.], [illeg.], [illeg.], 1890.
folder 28	All six songs are composed on the same manuscript.
	The Air Shaft
	Morning day, “Rising early, working late…”, Paris, (?) 29, 1897.
	When a man, who goes a’wooing, “When a man, who goes a’wooing…”, Paris, December 5, 1897.
	The Bachelor Girl, “She may have her degree of M.D.P…”, Paris, (?) 8, 1897.
	The Burglar & the Mouse, “The burglar, who at dead of night…”, Paris, January 2, 1898.
	Finale, “In the lott’ry of love…”, Paris, February 9, 1898.
	The Fall, “Locked in by a love-sick storm…”, Paris, March 6, 1898.
folder 29	Dieu saint et grand, “Dieu saint et grand…”, n.p., n.d.
	Sainte Sion, “Sainte Sion Ode-meure éternelle…”, n.p., n.d.
folder 30	Song fragment, with the following text; “Champagne, champagne, champagne!, n.p., n.d.
folder 31	Three poetic song texts from unknown journal, titled Menuet, La vieille mendiante, and Coeur vieilli.

Instrumental Music

folder 32	[illeg.], waltz for piano four hands. Marseilles, September 26, 1883.
folder 33	[?] Polka, for solo piano. Paris, January 13, 1884.
folder 34	Untitled, piece for solo soprano instrument and piano. New York, April 19, 1884.
folder 35	Untitled, set of three pieces for solo piano. New York, October 12, 1892.
folder 36	Untitled, piece for solo bass instrument and piano. N.d., n.p.

Fragments

folder 37

Three manuscript fragments, two of which are dated April 15, 1884, and January 11, 1888.

Series 3: Composition Texts

folder 38	Original drafts of bass and solo voice parts composed for the Concours 1898.
folder 39	Original drafts of bass and solo voice parts.
folder 40	Original drafts of bass and solo voice parts composed for the Concours 1898.
folder 41	Fine copy of solo voice part with piano accompaniment.
folder 42	Various manuscripts entitled Lecons d’Harmonie 1898.
folder 43	Fine copy of bass and solo voice parts.
folder 44	Various manuscripts entitled Alternés Concours 1898.
folder 45	Various manuscripts and fine copies.
folder 46	Proofs of composition text; dated 1892, 1893 and 1898.