GOUNOD, Charles (1818-1893). Autograph music manuscript signed ('Ch. Gounod'), Paris, 20 January 1880, a song, 'La Charité, pour l'amour de Dieu!', for contralto, chorus, cello and piano, the manuscript inscribed 'Quête pour les Pauvres de Gallicie' and dedicated 'à mon amie la Princesse Suzanna Czartoryska', title and 3 pages, folio (minor tape repairs to centre folds, faint spotting).

GOUNOD, Charles (1818-1893). Autograph music manuscript signed ('Ch. Gounod'), Paris, 20 January 1880, a song, 'La Charité, pour l'amour de Dieu!', for contralto, chorus, cello and piano, the manuscript inscribed 'Quête pour les Pauvres de Gallicie' and dedicated 'à mon amie la Princesse Suzanna Czartoryska', title and 3 pages, folio (minor tape repairs to centre folds, faint spotting).

APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED AND UNLISTED. Marked Andantino, the piece begins with an espressivo introduction on the cello: the song, in two verses, is a direct appeal for charitable contributions:
'Ô mes frères dans le Bon Dieu!
De mes fils voyez la misère!
Ils n'ont ni pain, ni feu, ni lieu!
Pitié pour eux et pour leur mère!
La Charité, pour l'amour de Dieu!'
The chorus joins in the forte demand of the final line.

The Czartoryski were of one of the most distinguished Polish families, and the recipient is presumably a relative of Anna Czartoryska, who from 1832 was based in Paris and remarkable for her charitable work for Polish emigrés.

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