Messaline

Artist: V. Guillet French (Born 1874) and
Vincent Lorant-Heilbronn French (1874-1912)

Title: Messaline

Plate: PL. 187

Description: Condition A.
Original lithograph from "Les Maitres de L'Affiche" series. 
Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris, 1899.
Presented in 16 x 20 in. acid free, archival museum mat, with framing labels. Ready to frame. Shipped boxed flat. 
Certificate of Authenticity.

Maitre Sheet Size: approx 11 3/8 in x 15 3/4 in 29 cm x 40 cm

Price: $225.00

This poster announces the opera "Messaline" at the Monte Carlo Theatre. The small text of the music at the bottom right reads "Venus! I feel it, is I that she is calling." And indeed we see the Greek goddess of love, casting her magical spell over our dream struck central figure. Both are framed within an ornate design of delicate floral patterns. Two lovebirds nestle together against the starry night sky next to the winged Venus. Absolutely gorgeous Art Nouveau typography is used in the design of the title "Messaline" as well as the softly handled "Theatre Monte Carlo". All is bathed in a surreal green hue that works to create a magical composition reminiscent of the master Mucha.
Messaline et Hares vintage postcard


Messaline
 (Messalina) is an operatic tragédie lyrique in four acts by Isidore de Lara. The librettists were Paul Armand Silvestre and Eugène Morand.

The opera premiered at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo on 21 March 1899 where it was decorated by Cesare Ferri and received enthusiastically. Messaline was de Lara's most successful opera and subsequent productions were performed throughout Europe, including the first opera by an Englishman to be mounted at La Scala in 1901. Other notable performances include Covent Garden in 1899, Paris Opéra in 1903, Warsaw in 1904, and Cairo in 1907. The opera made its United States premiere at the Metropolitan Opera on 22 January 1902. The opera remained a regular part of the repertory, particularly in France, until 1943