Autograph letter from the French harpist and composer to the members of the Comité du Théâtre Feydeau, asking for access to the theater in order to be able to complete his own opera. August 12, 1813. Translated from the French, in part: "Mr. Sewrin has asked me to compose the music for a poem in three acts which you received some time ago. I am working on it with great zeal, but to succeed [...] I feel that I need to study the great masters who have illustrated the scene, so I ask for the the favor to have access [to the theater] from now on, although rehearsals for my opera will not begin for several weeks..." He signs, "M. Ch. Bochsa, premier Harpiste de la musique de S. m." The opera mentioned is Bochsa's first work for the Opéra-Comique, L’héritier de Paimpol, with text by the playwright Sewrin, which premiered at the Théâtre Feydeau in December 1813. 1 p. of a bifolium, addressed on the verso. Folding creases and light toning; overall in fine condition. 7.25 x 9.5 inches (18.4 x 24 cm).

Together with an autograph document announcing the new biweekly publication, L'Indicateur musical, français et étranger, edited by a M. César and available at the music shop of Bochsa's father, Charles Bochsa (d. 1821). "It announces regularly, and without requiring the submission of publications, all the musical news. This journal, so necessary to amateurs who wish to be up to date with the publication of airs, romances, overtures, etc., will be of great use, because it also contains news of each new reproduction and where it may be obtained." N.d. [June 1819]. The publication appeared twice a week from July to September 1819. 1 p. Folding creases, light toning; overall fine. 7 x 4.75 inches (18 x 12 cm).

A colorful character, Nicholas-Charles Bochsa was appointed harpist to the Imperial Orchestra and began writing operas for the Opéra-Comique in 1813. However, in 1817 he became entangled in counterfeiting, fraud, and forgery, and fled to London to avoid prosecution. He was convicted in absentia, and sentenced to twelve years hard labour and a fine of 4,000 francs. Safe from French law in London, he helped found the Royal Academy of Music in 1821, and became its secretary, but when his criminal conviction was revealed in 1826 he was forced to resign, and became Musical Director of the Kings Theatre in London. In 1839 he became involved in another scandal when he ran off with the opera singer Anna Bishop, wife of the composer Henry Bishop. They performed together in North America and throughout Europe (except France). Bochsa arrived with Anna Bishop in Sydney, Australia, at the time of the gold rush in December 1855, but they gave only one concert together before Bochsa died. Bishop and Bochsa were said to have been the inspiration for Trilby and Svengali in George du Maurier's 1894 novel Trilby.