GLUCK, C. W.: Iphigénie en Tauride. Tragédie en quatres actes, per Mr. Guillard, ... dediée à la Reine ... Réprésentée pour la première fois par l'Académie Royale de Musique le mardi 18 May 1779. Full Score. Paris, Bureau du Journal de Musique [1779]. Folio. 2 fol., 211 p., title page professionally restored, backed at some parts, title and dedication page stamped "Jos. Hauser". Some leaves backed in the fold. Ligth sporadic foxing. 22/04 Half vellum gilded.

Completion of the opera reform in perfection. Very rare original edition of the score. For us in the last 20 years only two copies traceable in the trade. Iphigenie en Tauride can be seen as the triumphant conclusion of the French opera reform on the eve of the French Revolution. With his French operas, Gluck "brought about the transformation of the overly tradition-bound static French opera, with its display of aura. With his French operas, Gluck "accomplished the transformation of the overly tradition-bound static French opera, with its display of affects on a colorful, decorative scenic background, into a drama of real human passions and ethical ideas. Iphigenie en Tauride must be considered Gluck's most perfect and uncompromising creation" (Hortschansky) - Handwritten dedication on title "a la Ctsse d'Arco nèe Seinsheim" and handwritten dedication by another hand on the first sheet of music "à Marie Anne Comtesse d'Arco née Ctesse de Seinsheim". The Königlich-Bayerischer adeliger Damen-Kalender of 1832 names the Countess Marie Anne von Arco as one of the palace ladies, "des k. Theresien-Ordens Ehrendame, Kammerherrns- wirkl. geh. Raths-, Reichraths- und Ober-Appelations-Gerichts-Präsident-, dann Staatsraths-Frau." - Hopkinson 60/46 A; Cat. Hoboken 1985, no.14: RISM G 2815.