[Spontini, Gaspare. (1774-1851)] Jouy, Victor-Joseph Étienne de. (1764 - 1846). La Vestale - Libretto, SIGNED Presentation Copy. Paris: Didot l'Ainé. 1807. First edition. Tragédie lyrique en trois actes ... le 11 décembre 1807. 4°. XVI, 46 pp. Inscribed on the title page by Jouys to Monsieur de Baupret, prefèt du Palais Imperial. In a fine binding, full brown calf with gilt detailing on boards and along spine, with pages edged in gold. Spine cover and front joint loose, but holding and otherwise fine throughout.

Signed presentation first edition libretto from the librettist of Spontini's most celebrated opera. Written with the encouragement of Empress Joséphine, its premiere at the Opéra in Paris on December 15, 1807 established Spontini as one of the greatest Italian composers of his age and owing in part to its libretto, was characterized by the Institut de France as the best lyric drama of the day. Other opera librettos followed, including Spontini's "Fernand Cortez," Cherubini's "Abencérages," Méhul's "Les Amazones," and Rossini's "Guillaume Tell" (with Hippolyte Bis).