Nicolas Dalayrac

also known as Nicolas d'Alayrac, Dallairac, Daleyrac or Dallerac

Nicolas-Marie Dalayrac was born on 8 June 1753 in Muret (France). His father was a king’s counsellor and a wealthy aristocrat. His surname was originally spelled "d'Alayrac" showing this nobility. After the French Revolution in 1789 he dropped this attribute and spelled himself "Dalayrac". Nicolas Dalayrac received his schooling in Toulouse, where he went from the age of eight. He returned to Muret in 1767 and received singing lessons and played the violin in a local orchestra. He was obliged by his father to study law, in which he qualified by the age of 21. In 1774 he went to Versailles, where a commission had been obtained for him as a sub-lieutenant in the personal guard of the Count of Artois, later Charles X. In Paris Nicolas Dalayrac encountered influential musicians and musical amateurs such as the Baron de Besenval and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges and could follow his passion for music. He later received composition lessons from Honore Langle and with the consent of his father started a career as a composer.

Dalayrac’s first compositions were chamber works which he published under a pseudonym. These works were very successful and so Nicolas Dalayrac dared to create larger compositions under his own name. He was a member of the masonic Lodge ‘Neuf-Soeurs’ and in 1778 he composed music both for Voltaire’s and Benjamin Franklin's masonic reception. In 1781 Nicolas Dalayrac composed his first two operas comiques which received only performances in a private setting. But these works brought him the attention of Marie Antoinette who supported the public performance of his third opera comique "L'eclipse totale". This became the breakthrough as a composer and for the following years Nicolas Dalayrac wrote at least one opera comique a year. Several of these works became huge successes in France, but also throughout Europe and established his position as the leading composer of the genre opera comique. 

In 1798 Nicolas Dalayrac was awarded membership of the Swedish Royal Academy, and in 1804 he was made one of the first members of the Legion d’honneur. Nicolas Dalayrac also enjoyed the favour of Napoleon and composed the opera comique "Le poete et le musicien" for his coronation anniversary in 1809 and died before the premiere of the work.
Nicolas Dalayrac died on 27 November 1809 in Paris (France).

Dalayrac Archive

In my possession is a large part of the musical estate of Nicolas Dalayrac. I obtained these manuscripts at a French auction house in early 2025 who sold many Dalayrac related items (paintings, books, etc) from the estate of a Dalayrac descendant.

Unfortunately the manuscripts were victim to a water damage sometime in the past and not carefully preserved. That means most of the manuscripts are now partly rotten and fragile, and some documents already lost parts of the sheets. So one task was the preservation of these manuscripts.

To make things worse the manuscripts came to me mixed up and unordered. Therefore another task was and still is the organisation of the sheets of music. Although nearly all operas by Nicolas Dalayrac were commercially printed, I curiously have major difficulties to classify around 70 manuscripts to the specific Dalayrac opera.

In the following I would like to present scans of all of the items from the Dalayrac Archive to preserve them and make them available for scholars and further research. I divided the presentation into several parts:

1. autograph manuscripts of the operas-comiques by Nicolas Dalayrac
2. autograph manuscripts of the operas-comiques, but non-classified so far
3. autograph manuscripts by Nicolas Dalayrac: sketches or not associated to his operas
4. scores of works by other composers
5. miscellaneous
   

1) Autograph manuscripts of the operas-comiques by Nicolas Dalayrac

The collection of related manuscripts included smaller or larger parts from more than 25 operas of Nicolas Dalayrac. But no opera is presented in a complete full score. Most of the scores are working manuscripts and contain corrections and omissions in the hand of Nicolas Dalayrac. Therefore these manuscripts have a special historical importance and for that reason I would like to present the scans of all these manuscripts here:

a) L'Eclipse totale

The opera-comique "L'Eclipse totale" is in one act and on a libretto by Ange-Etienne-Xavier Poisson de la Chabeaussière. It was premiered on 7 March 1782 at the Hotel de Bourgogne in Paris (France).
Roles: Cassandre, Leandre, Crispin, Isabelle, Rosette, Le Bailli, Solstitius
Singers in the premiere: unknown to me

In my possession is an incomplete copyist manuscript that belongs to the opera "L'Eclipse totale". It starts with an unidentified couplet and ends with only the beginning of the "Chanson qu'il m'apprit" sung by the role Rosette.

Part of the archive is also an incomplete copyist full score of the opera. A similar copy was digitized by the French National Library and can be found via their Gallica platform. My copy covers the pages 65 to 90 from the manuscript at the French National Library and shows only a few small differences in the orchestration. That Gallica manuscript ends abruptly before the end and I own some further pages, which I present here (but not the complete copy)

b) Le Corsaire

The opera-comique "Le Corsaire" is in three acts and on a libretto by Ange-Etienne-Xavier Poisson de la Chabeaussière. It was premiered on 15 March 1783 at the Theatre Italien in Paris (France).

Roles: Florville, Julie, Lisette, Mahamet, Narsit, Zima, Geolier

Singers in the premiere: Ms. Dugazon, Ms. Trial, Mr. Michu, others are unknown to me

The work was later revised by Dalayrac. The new version was premiered in 1793 under the title "Le Corsaire algerien ou le Combat naval".

In my possession is only one complete manuscript from the opera-comique "Le Corsaire". This one is titled "Aria de Zima seule":

In addition the archive contains the first 66 pages of the printed score of "Le Corsaire" (published by Le Duc in Paris around 1784) with some handwritten corrections and revisions by Dalayrac.

c) La Dot

The opera-comique "La Dot" is in three acts and on a libretto by Desfontaines. It was premiered on 18 November 1785 at the Opera-Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Le Marquis, Le Magister, Colette, Colin, Cateau, Mathurin
Singers in the premiere: unknown to me

The following manuscripts are part of this archive, all incomplete:

• Vaudeville apres un petit air de danse
• Couplet Colette
• Duo Colette et le Marquis
• Sextet with Colette, Mathurin, le Magister, Colin, Cateau, le Marquis

In addition to the autograph manuscripts above the archive contains also a few manuscripts in the hand of a copyist. That includes:

• Colette seule in the 2nd act
• Colin seul (No.12) in the 3rd act
• Finale of the 3rd act
• an incomplete manuscript starting with the singing words "-nesse vous avez"
• an incomplete manuscript starting with the singing words "paix couple"
• an incomplete manuscript starting with the singing words "quand je projette"

d) Les Deux Serenades

The opera-comique "Les Deux Serenades" is in two acts and on a libretto by Jean-Francois-Thomas Goulard. It was premiered on 23 January 1788 at the Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Barthelmont, Alonse, Bianca, Emilie, Le notaire, Valentin
Singers in the premiere: unknown to me

Part of the archive are several manuscript of this opera-comique, unfortunately none is complete. The following manuscripts can be found:

• Air Barthelmont No.11
• Barthelmont
• Belmont
• Bianca et Barthelmont
• Quatuor No.2
• Quatuor No.10
• Serenade
• Finale

A part of the archive is also a copyist full score of the Trio of Bianca, Valentin and Belmort, Couplet No.5 from the "Deus Serenades":

e) Sargines ou l'Eleve de l'amour

The opera-comique "Sargines ou l'Eleve de l'amour" is in four acts and on a libretto by Monvel. It was premiered on 14 May 1788 at the Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: General Auguste, Sargines pere, Sargines fils, Pierre, Galon de Montigny, Isidore, Officiers, Sophie, Genevieve, Iselle, Philippe-Auguste, Dlle. d'Apremont
Singers in the premiere: Ms. du Gazon, Ms. Renaud, Mr. Philippe, others are unknown to me

In my possession are the following manuscripts from the opera-comique "Sargines ou l'Eleve de l'amour":

• Iselle
• Genevieve Air
• No.15 from the 3rd act

f) Fanchette ou l'Heureuse Epreuve

The opera-comique "Fanchette ou l'Heureuse Epreuve" is in three acts and on a libretto by Desfontaines. It was premiered on 13 October 1788 at the Theatre Italien in Paris (France).
Roles: Dubois, Lucas Duprez, Auguste (le baron), Fanchette, Darville (Fierval), Champagne, Precis, la baronne
Singers in the premiere: Ms. Gonthier, Ms. Saint-Aubin, Mr. Chenard, Mr. Menier, Mr. Michu

In my possession are several manuscripts that belong to the opera-comique "Fanchette ou l'Heureuse Epreuve":

• Couplet de Precis No.12
• Precis air 3 acte
• Duo Precis et Champagne
• sextet with le baron, Fanchette, la baronne, Dupre, Lucas and Champagne
• Couplet Champagne - beginning of act 2
• Fanchette Air
• Choeur final
• incomplete manuscript mentioning Dupre
• incomplete manuscript mentioning Lucas
• incomplete manuscript mentioning Lebaron
• incomplete manuscript "feuille 8" to "feuille 14"
• incomplete manuscript "changement 3" and "feuille 4" to No.4

g) Le Chene patriotique ou la Matinee du 14 juillet 1790

The opera-comique "Le Chene patriotique ou la Matinee du 14 juillet 1790" is in one act and on a libretto by Monvel. It was premiered on 10 July 1790 at the Opera-Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: M. de Saint-Flor, Tourville, Annette, Rose, Victor, Bertrand, Mme. Alerte
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Sollier, Ms. Gonthier, others are unknown to me

In my possession are the following autograph manuscripts from this opera:

• Ronde Bertrand
• Vaudeville No.13 with Saint-Flor
• Sextet with Annette, Rose, Victor, Tourville, Bertrand and Saint-Flor
• Trio with Rose, Victor and Alerte
• Duo Tourville and Saint-Flor
• a single sheet "changement" for an unknown score mentioning Tourville

h) Vert-Vert

The opera-comique "Vert-Vert" is in one act and on a libretto by Desfontaines. It was premiered on 11 October 1790 at the Theatre Italien in Paris (France).

Roles: mere Saint-Luce, Mathilde, Seraphine, L'amour, Lucas, Ursule, Angelique, Clothilde

singers in the premiere: Ms. Carline, Ms. Saint-Aubin, Ms. Desbrosse, Ms. Adeline, Ms. Evetu

"Vert-Vert" was no success for Dalayrac and received only few performances after the premiere. It is also one of the few of his operas that were not printed commercially. There are three manuscripts of this opera in my archive:

• A couplet of Mere Saint Luce
• A couplet of L'Amour
• A trio of L'amour, Mathilde and Lucas
• Trio with Ursule, Seraphine and Clothilde

i) Camille, ou le Souterrain

The opera-comique "Camille, ou le Souterrain" is in three acts and on a libretto by Marsollier. It was premiered on 19 March 1791 at the Theatre Italien in Paris (France).

Roles: Camille, Le Duc Alberti, Adolphe, Loredan, Fabio, Marcellin, Laurette, Garriga, Strozzi

Singers in the premiere: Ms. Dugazon, Mr. Philippe, Ms. Saint-Aubin, Mr. Solier, Mr. Trial, Mr. Menier, Ms. Carline

In my possession are no autograph manuscripts of this opera, but a printed copy. This printed copy contains five handwritten annotations, very likely in the hand of Nicolas Dalayrac. For that reason I would like to present these 5 pages here for information purpose. The complete printed full score is available at different other internet sources (for example IMSLP):

j) Philippe et Georgette

The opera-comique "Philippe et Georgette" is in one act and on a libretto by Jacques-Marie Boutet de Monvel. It was premiered on 28 December 1791 at the Theatre Italien in Paris (France).

Roles: M. Martin, Mme. Martin, Georgette, Bonnefoi, Philippe, Hincmer, Babet

Singers in the premiere: Ms. Gontier, Mr. Elleviou, Ms. Saint-Aubin, Ms. Desforges, Mr. Solier, Mr. Chenard, Mr. Menier, others are unknown to me

In my archive is only one complete manuscript that belongs to the opera-comique "Philippe et Georgette". It is titled "Complainte de Martin - 3. Couplet":

k) Urgande et Merlin

The opera-comique "Urgande et Merlin" is in three acts and on a libretto by Monvel. It was premiered on 14 October 1793 at the Theatre de l'Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Urgande, Azelie, Merlin, Amadis, Oriane, Myrza, Sydonie, Amelie, Ligdamon, Dorcan, Dorus
Singers in the premiere: unknown to me

In my possession are several manuscripts of the opera-comique "Urgande et Merlin":

• Chanson Ligdamon
• Finale 1st act
• Azelie
• Entree de Dorus
• Merlin
• Merlin 3rd act
• Quartet including Dorcan
• Sextet including Sidonie
• Air Sidonie
• Trio Sidonie, Mirza and Azelie
• Duo Urgande et Azelie

l) La Prise de Toulon

The opera-comique "La Prise de Toulon" is in one act and on a libretto by Louis-Benoit Picard. It was premiered on 1 February 1794 at the Theatre Feydeau in Paris (France).

Roles: President, Depute, Soldat, Forcat, Americain, Courier, Officier anglais, Officier allemand, General, ci-devant de Marquis, ci-devant de Eveque, ci-devant de President, General des troupes du Pape, ci-devant de Monsieur

Singers in the premiere: unknown

In my possession is the beginning of a trio for Le president, L'Anglais and L'Autrichien; and a second incomplete beginning of the "Choer d'emigres":

m) L’Enfance de J. J. Rousseau

The opera-comique "L’Enfance de J. J. Rousseau" is in one act and on a libretto by Andrieux. It was premiered on 23 May 1794 at the Theatre Favart in Paris (France).

Roles: Rousseau pere, Jean-Jacques, Bernard, Suson, Vulson, Masseron, Barnabas, St. Lauren, Paulin, Granger

Singers in the premiere: unknown

In my possession are a few manuscripts that belong to this opera. That includes:

• Ouverture de J. Jacques Rousseau
• Couplet No.5 Masseron seul
• Morceau d'ensemble No.7
• the last page of the Romance on the text "Que le jour me dure" by Rousseau
• handwritten text for a couplet

n) Les Detenus ou Cange commissionnaire de Lazare

The opera-comique "Les Détenus ou Cange commissionnaire de Lazare" is in one act and on a libretto by Marsollier. It was premiered on 18 November 1794 at the Opera Comique National in Paris (France).
Roles: Georges, Cange = Bon-enfant, Daudin, Reveche
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Chenard, others are unknown to me

In this archive are several manuscripts that belongs to this opera, unfortunately most of them are incomplete:

• one titled "Couplet de bonenfant ou Cange"
• one titled "Bon enfant seul Couplet No.3"
• one titled "Bon enfant seul Couplet No.6"
• one titled "Duo Bon enfant et legeolier"
• one titled "Vaudeville en Trio"
• one titled just "No.1"
• one titled "choeur et couplet de dodin"
• one titled "ouverture de comissionaire"
• one titled "Reveche Legeolier air"

o) La Pauvre Femme

The opera-comique "La Pauvre Femme" is in one act and on a libretto by Marsollier. It was premiered on 8 April 1795 at the Opera Comique National in Paris (France).
Roles: Veuve Armand, Julie, Germain, Jacques, Dermont, Porteur d'eau
Singers in the premiere: Ms. Lefevre, other are unknown to me

In my possession are several manuscripts of the opera-comique "La Pauvre Femme":

• Romance air / Dermont seul
• La veuve Armand couplet
• Romance Julie seule
• Duo Julie et Germain
• Porteur d'eau couplet
• a trio with Julie, Armand and Germain
• a second trio with Julie, Armand and Germain
• Vaudeville No.7 with Julie
• a handwritten text about some couplets
• two sheets from the scene No.16 starting with "(ren-)verse la tyrannie"

p) Alexis ou L’erreur d’un bon pere

The opera-comique "Alexis ou L’erreur d’un bon pere" is in one act and on a libretto by Benoit Joseph Marsollier. It was premiered on 24 January 1798 at the Theatre Feydeau in Paris (France).

Roles: Nelcour, Alexis, Ambroise, Caroline

Singers in the premiere: Ms. Rolandeau, Mr. Vallière, Ms. Camille, Mr. Juliet

In my possession is only one complete manuscript of the opera-comique "Alexis ou L'erreur d'un bon pere". The title is not completely legible but should be "Changement du duo Alexis et Caroline":

q) Primerose (Roger ou Le Page)

The opera-comique "Primerose" is in 3 acts and on a libretto by Favieres and Marsollier. I have no information about the premiere, but a second performance took place on 8 March 1798 at the Theatre Favart in Paris (France).

Roles: Florestan, Berthe, Roger, Gerard, Primerose, Leon d’Alby, Raoul de Beaucaire, Geolier

Singers in the 2nd performance: Ms. Saint-Aubin, Mr. Chenard, Mr. Gavaudan, Mr. Dozainville, Mr. Granger, Ms. Carline, Ms. Gonthier

In the archive are several parts of this work. These are titled

• Proclamation deux herault d'armes et le Maur
• Duo Primerose et Florestan
• Leon d'Alby air
• Florestan
• Roger seul
• a single sheet with the names Berthe and Roger
• Quatuor Primerose, Berthe, Roger, Heurtant
• incomplete, with Berthe
• 2d acte No.5
• 2d acte No.7
• Finale du 2d acte
• acte 3 Introduction Roger ou Le page
• acte 3 Primerose
• acte 3 Duo et Finale

r) Leon ou le Chateau de Montenero

The opera-comique "Leon ou le Chateau de Montenero" is in three acts and on a libretto by Francois-Benoit Hoffmann. It was premiered on 15 October 1798 at the Theatre de l'Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Leon, Romualde, Laure, Louis de Gaete, Venerande, Ferrant, Longino, Petrino, Gaetano
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Solie, Mr. Philippe, Mr. Gavaudan, Mr. Chenard, Mr. Dozainville, Mr. Aller, Mr. Fleuriot, Mr. Cretu, Mr. Gonthier

The archive contains two manuscripts of this opera. One is complete, the other one consists of just sheet 17 and 22:

• Romance
• feuille 17 et 22

s) Laure ou l'Actrice chez elle

The opera-comique "Laure ou l'Actrice chez elle" is in one act and on a libretto by Marsollier. It was premiered on 27 September 1799 at the Theatre Favart in Prais (France).
Roles: Laure, Raymond, Ridler, Lise, Josephine, Auguste, Louise
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Elleviou, Ms. Saint-Aubin, Mr. Dozainville, Mr. Solie, Ms. Hyacinthe, Ms. Saint-Aubin cadette

In my possession are several manuscripts of the opera-comique "Laure ou l'Actrice chez elle":

• Chanson de la vieille - Josephine et les enfans
• Chanson paysanne
• Laure Rondeau
• Laure Air
• Laure Chanson
• Laure seule
• Duo Ridler et Laure
• Trio with Laure, Ridler and Levrineau(?)
• Trio with Laure, Ridler and Raymond
• Start of the Ouverture
• a single sheet (feuille 2) with the singing text "actrice chez elle"

t) Le Rocher de Leucade

The opera-comique "Le Rocher de Leucade" is in one act and on a libretto by Marsollier. It was premiered on 14 February 1800 at the Theatre de l'Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Phaon, Aglae, Phanor, Sapho, Samos, Athenes, Palemon, Le pretre
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Elleviou, Mr. Martin, Ms. Saint-Aubin, others are unknown to me

In my possession are large parts of the opera-comique "Le Rocher de Leucade":

• Ouverture
• Aclamation
• Choeur bergers
• Choeur marche
• Duo Phanor and Palemon
• Rondeau Aglae
• Palemon
• Ritournelle
• Trio with Aglae, Phanor and Palemon
• Suite de Trio with Aglae, Phanor and Palemon
• Trio with Aglae, Phanor and Palemon titled "Vaudeville"
• Trio with Aglea, Phanor and le pretre
• Trio with Aglae, Phanor and le pretre titled "suite de No.1"
• an incomplete ending titled "avant le trio"
• Dernier choeur

u) L'Antichambre ou les Valets maitres

The opera-comique "L'Antichambre ou les Valets maitres" is in one act and on a libretto by Collin d'Harleville. It was premiered on 27 February 1802 at the Theatre de l'opera Comique National in Paris (France).
Roles: Lafleur, Picard, Belval, Olive, Saint-Clair, Desguerets, Chenard, Philis ainee, Gonthier, Dozainville, Saint-Germain
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Martin, Mr. Elleviou, others are unknown to me

Part of the archive is a manuscript of a Couplet No.3 with the role Picard, and later Lafleur.

v) La Boucle de cheveux

The opera-comique "La Boucle de cheveux" is in one act and on a libretto by Francois-Benoit Hoffmann. It was premiered on 30 September 1802 at the Theatre de l'Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Constance, Valcour, Derville, Lisette, Frontin
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Elleviou, Mr. Martin, Ms Philis ainée, Ms. Pingenet ainée 

In my archive are two manuscripts that belong to this opera-comique: A complete Trio of Lisette, Valcour and Frontin, and an incomplete score of a duo of Valcour et Frontin:

w) Picaros et Diego ou la Folle Soiree

The opera-comique "Picaros et Diego ou la Folle Soiree" is in one act and on a libretto by Dupaty. It was premiered on 3 May 1803 at the Theatre de l'Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Nuguez, Della Spada, Julio, Lopez, Jago, Valcos, Torres, Ambrosio, Francisco, Dona Barba, Floretta, Diego, Picaros
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Elleviou, Mr. Martin, Mr. Chenard, Ms. Gavaudan, the others are unknown to me

The archive contains an incomplete manuscript beginning with the words "Je le hais je le sens" that belongs to this opera:

x) La Jeune prude ou Les Femmes entre elles

The opera comique "La Jeune prude ou Les Femmes entre elles" is in one act and on a libretto by Mercier Dupaty. It was premiered on 4 January 1804 at the Theatre de l'opera Comique in Paris (France).

Roles: Lucrece, Saint-Elme, Elise, Duportail, Victorine, Verseuil, De Gercour, Dormont, Lindor

Singers in the premiere: Ms. Cretu, Ms. Scio-Messie, Ms. Pingenet ainee, Ms. Gonthier, Ms. Gavaudan, Ms. Pingenet cadette, others are unknown to me

Part of the archive are two complete manuscripts of the opera-comique "La Jeune prude ou Les Femmes entre elles". The first one is titled "Made. deverseuil ou Lindor Couplet No.4". The other one shows the title: "Lucrece Couplet No.3"

y) Une Heure de Mariage 

The opera-comique "Une Heure de Mariage" is in one act and on a libretto by Charles-Guillaume Etienne. It was premiered on 20 March 1804 at the Theatre Feydeau in Paris (France).

Roles: M. de Marce, Germeuil, Saint-Ange, Constance, Elise

Singers in the premiere: Mr. Elleviou, Mr. Jausrand, Mr. Juliet, Ms. Saint-Aubin, Ms. Gavaudan

In my possession is only one small documents that belongs to this opera. It is the first page of a singing part of Cecile Saint-Aubin who premiered the work.

z) Le Pavillon du Calife, ou Almanzor et Zobeide

The opera-comique "Le Pavillon du Calife, ou Almanzor et Zobeide" is in two acts and on a libretto by Despre, Deschamps et Chedeville. It was premiered on 12 April 1804 at the Theatre de l'Opera in Paris (France).

Roles: Almanzor, Zobeide, Rustan, Fatime, Grand-Visir, Azem, coriphe

Singers in the premiere: Mr. Laïs, Ms. Branchu, Mr. Vestris, Mr. Duport, Ms. Gardel 

In my possession are the following manuscripts of the opera-comique "Le Pavillon du Calife, ou Almanzor et Zobeide":

• a quintet of Zobeide, Fatime, Almanzor, Rustan and the Visir
• a duo of Rustan and the Calife
• a quartet of Zobeide, Almanzor, Rustan and the Visir
• a quartet with Fatime and three others

aa) Deux Mots ou Une nuit dans la foret

The opera-comique "Deux Mots ou Une nuit dans la foret" is in one act and on a libretto by Marsollier. It was premiered on 9 June 1806 at the Theatre de l'Opera Comique in Paris (France).
Roles: Valbelle, Lafrance, L’Hotesse, Rose, Lafleur
Singers in the premiere: Ms. Saint-Aubin, Mr. Lesage, Mr. Gavaudan, Mr. Saint-Aubin, Ms. Desbrosses

In my possession are the following manuscripts that belong to the opera-comique "Deux Mots ou Une nuit dans la foret":

• Couplet No.3 Valbelle
• Valbelle
• Trio with Rose, l'hotesse and Valbelle
• Trio No.8 with Rose, l'hotesse and Valbelle

ab) Elise-Hortense ou Les Souvenirs de l’enfance

The opera-comique "Elise-Hortense ou Les Souvenirs de l’enfance" is in one act and on a libretto by Marsollier. It was premiered on 26 September 1809 at the Theatre de l'Opera Comique in Paris (France).

Roles: Elise, Edouard, Gercourt, Hortense

Singers in the premiere: Ms. Belmont, Ms. Contat, Ms. Dugazon, Mr. Juliet, Mr. Solie, Mr. Paul

In my archive is only a manuscript of the Trio Elise, Eduard and Gercourt.

ac) Le Poete et le Musicien ou Je cherche un sujet

The opera-comique "Le Poète et le Musicien ou Je cherche un sujet" is the last composition by Nicolas Dalayrac. It was composed for the festivities of the anniversary of the coronation of Napoleon, but Nicolas Dalayrac deceased before the premiere. The work consists of three acts and is written on a libretto by Dupaty. It was premiered on 30 May 1811 at the Theatre Feydeau in Paris (France).
Roles: Dernance, Valcour, Florville oncle, Florville neuve, Dormeuil, Tenant-Bon, Eliza Bonneval, Jacmin, Lucile, Damis, Derson
Singers in the premiere: Mr. Solie, Mr. Huet, Mr. Chenard, Mr. Martin, Mr. Lesage, Mr. Elleviou, Mr. Moreau, Mr. Paul, Ms. Desbrosses, Ms. Moreau, Ms. Belmont

In my possession are a few manuscripts that belong to this last opera-comique by Dalayrac. Unfortunately all manuscripts are incomplete and in most cases I identified them through role names in the text:

• Octet of Blaisot, Jacmin, Valcour, Florville oncle, un postillon and choeur
• manuscript containing Lucile
• manuscript containing Florville
• manuscript containing Eliza

ad) Marton, Valere, Julien

Part of the archive are also several autograph and copyist manuscripts of an opera by Dalayrac that is unknown to me so far. The manuscripts include the role names Marton, Valere, Julien, Julie, Le Baron and La Comtesse. A "Marton" is part of the opera "Renaud d'Ast", but not the others. Therefore I assume this must be a different opera. The autograph manuscripts are:

• Overture
• Marton No.2
• Marton No.13
• Romance Julie
• Duo Siegue Quartette with Julie, Marton, Valere, Julien
• Duetto Julien and Valere
• Duo Trio Quatuor
• Quatuor with Valere, Julien and 2 Valeurs - the beginning
• Quatuor with Valere, Julien and 2 Valeurs - a later part
• Le baron
• La comtesse
• renvoy to the Ariette

In addition to the autograph manuscripts of this opera there are several copyists manuscripts part of the archive:

• Full score of No.5 from the opera
• part of Le baron
• part of Valere
• part of Marton
• part of Julie
• part of corno primo
• part of alto
• part of oboe and flute
• part of contrebase

2) autograph manuscripts of the operas-comiques, but non-classified so far

Beside the presented scores above there are dozens of manuscript parts - single sheets or sometimes larger groups of sheets - that I could not relate to a specific opera, not to speak of a specific aria or couplet. I have nevertheless scanned these manuscripts for preservation and would like to invite you to have a look into these manuscripts and help me to identify them. Due to clarity these scans are offered on a special subpage:

Link to subpage with non-classified manuscripts

3) autograph manuscripts by Nicolas Dalayrac, sketches or not associated to his operas

Again there are so many documents that fall into this section that I decided to create a subpage that presents the scans and don't flood this page. Here is the link to the other autograph manuscripts of Nicolas Dalayrac:

Link to the subpage with working and non-opera manuscripts

4) scores of works by other composers

Beside the autograph manuscripts of his own operas there were a few scores of other composers part of the estate of Nicolas Dalayrac. Some could be identified, others seem to be by other composers but I am not sure about that.



a) Schetky and Tilliere

A scribal copy (very likely not in the hand of Dalayrac) titled on the front page "[destroyed]a Violoncelle et Basso del Signor Scetky", followed by a "Sonata", "Sonata III" and "Sonate de tillere". I could not identify these works but it might be likely that these works are by Johann Georg Christoph Schetky (1737-1824) and Joseph Bonaventure Tilliere (before 1750 - after 1790).

I assume this manuscript might be of some historical value and therefore provide a scan of it here for further research:

b) piano sonatas, i.e. Duport

Another scribal copy from the same hand like the Schetky and Tilliere manuscript, now with a collection of what seems to be piano sonatas. Only one title is legible at the very end: "Sonate de Duport". In other cases only the last letters "..ata" or "..ta" are legible. I could not identify which Duport is meant because there are several in the 18th century: Jean-Louis Duport (1749-1819), Jean-Pierre Duport (1741-1818) or Nicolas Duport (1690-1773), to name just a few. The other works are also unidentified.

c) Pugnani: Violin sonata

A handwritten score of the "Sonata a violino solo col basso" op.3 No.1 by Gaetano Pugnani (1731-1798):

d) Tornate sereni begl'astri

A part of a musical setting of "Tornate sereni begl'astri" by an unknown composer:

e) Sacchini: Oedipe a Colone

A copyist score for voice and piano of "Air d'Oedipe a Colone" by Antonio Sacchini (1730-1786):

f) Sophie de Saint hillair

Another copyist manuscript (in the same hand and from the same collection like the Sacchini and Paisiello - see e and g) titled "Air et Accompt par Melle Sophie de Saint hillair". The text is from a well-known chanson about the death of Charles VI Holy Roman Emperor in 1740. A simple version was published in the book "Anthologie franc̜oise, ou Chansons choisies, depuis le 13e siecle jusqu'a present - Tome 2" in 1765, but this music is different. I also found no information about a "Sophie de Saint hillair":

g) Paisiello: Le Marquis de Tulipano

A copyist score of a song from "Le Marquis de Tulipano" by Giovanni Paisiello (1740-1816):

h) Amour viens sur mes yeux

A full score of an Ariette titled "Amour viens sur mes yeux". The manuscript was done very likely by a copyist. And I found no information about the composer of such a work.

i) J'aime la jeune Helene

A full score of an Ariette/Rondo titled "J'aime la jeune Helene". The manuscript was done very likely by a copyist. And I found no information about the composer of such a work.

j) La nouvelle Josephine

A handwritten score with small melodies titled "La nouvelle Josephine", "La Frese", "La Julie", "La Heyden", "La costera"(?), "Insolente"(?), "[..]lespoir [..]uscrits". Very likely not in Dalayrac's hand. These melodies could be contredanses, a popular form in the 18th century in France.

k) String quartets

Part of the estate is a set of parts that belong to a total of 4 different string quartets. Unfortunately no composer name is given and the manuscript was very likely done by a copyist. I could not identify the quartets. The only hint is an inscription on the title page of the first violin part of the first string quartet. It says: "Del Signor Giuseppo Fradini di Napoli 17". Curiously I could not trace a "Giuseppo Fradini", so the whole set of string quartets remains a mystery. Maybe the works are by Nicolas Dalayrac himself, but that is only my personal suggestion.

Only two string quartets are numbered: No.1 and No.3. The two others are unnumbered, one starts in D major, the other in F minor. The movement titles are:

No.1: Allegro moderato - Rondeau: Presto ma non tanto - Minore

No.3: Allegro spiritoso - Aria con variazione - Minore

D major: Allegro commodo - Presto ma non tanto - Minore

F minor: no title mentioned in the manuscript

Only the String quartet No.1 is complete. The D major quartet misses the last page in the viola part, and the two other quartets miss the complete first violin part.

l) String quintet

In the Dalayrac archive is also set of parts for a string quintet. Again no composer name is given nor any other hint about the composition or its creator. The movements are Allegretto - Rondo diminuetto - Minore. Unfortunately the cello part is incomplete and misses the first of two pages.

m) Coeur s'abbandonne

This is an incomplete manuscript for voice and maybe basso continuo. The lyrics seem to be religious and start with the words "coeur s'abbandonne aux allarmes et je n'entrevois plus qu'un funeste avenir". The handwriting loosk like a copyist and therefore I have no information who composed this work. I found no reference to the text.

n) Atys, Amours d'ete and L'amante impaziente

A copyist manuscript with works for voice and piano, starting with an incomplete song from the opera "Atys" by Lully, followed by a song from the opera "Amours d'ete" and a song on the words of "L'amante impaziente". On the last page are a few notes on the words "Gregoire est mort il a grand tort"

o) orchestral work

Another incomplete copyist manuscript with a work for flutes, viola, bassoons, horns, oboe and piano.

5) miscellaneous

In this section I subsume all the remaining documents that might be interesting and deserve a visual preservation.

a) tiny melodies

The estate of Nicolas Dalayrac contained a set of 9 large double-sided sheets of music paper that all were just used in the first few staves on the first page. The rest of the music paper remained unused. On each double-sided music paper one, two or three tiny melodies were penned down in ink. The handwriting does not look the one by Nicolas Dalayrac, maybe more like a young person, beginner or student. Maybe these are first musical ideas by a child of Nicolas Dalayrac (or less likely by himself as a child). Maybe these melodies are original ideas or just copies. I have no answer to this. But all nine music papers were kept and preserved over more than 200 years, so they were important to someone sometime in the past:

b) snippets

Between the dozens of manuscripts I found the following two snippets: one with a sentence in the hand of Dalayrac. The other with half a picture of Kind David and although on a thin paper might be part of a playing card.