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| Debussy's autograph manuscript of Les Papillons, most likely composed in 1881, is now in the collection of the Music Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Drawing upon this unique resource, this beautifully designed publication includes the first Performing Edition of Les Papillons (at left in inset photograph), transcribed by Marie Rolf, as well as a facsimile of the Debussy manuscript (at right in inset). An essay by Rolf describes the provenance of the manuscript and the editorial practices followed in the transcription. This setting of a poem by Théophile Gautier has been virtually unknown since Debussy's time. The song received its world premiere only in 1962, some 80 years after its composition, at New York's Town Hall; on that occasion, conductor Wilfrid Pelletier observed in a program note that "to my knowledge, this song has never been mentioned by any biographer, nor sung in public." In February 2004, the work received a rare performance by acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming as part of the recital "The Art of French Song" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In making Les Papillons readily accessible to today's performing artists, this special edition ensures and enhances the reputation of this early song by a master composer. Large portfolio, with insert for facsimile and performing edition, printed four colors on fine cream paper, 26 pages. back to Performing Arts Library Books | back to Performing Arts Library | back to Collections Books | back to NYPL Books | back to Books | Library Shop Home |