149. Stravinsky, Igor. Autograph letter signed three times with a musical quotation, 1 page (11.12 x 8.62 in.; 283 x 219 mm.), in French, Clarens, 31 January 1913, on the imprinted stationery of the Hotel du Châtelard, to Pierre Monteux; mounting remnants on top margin verso.

An important letter to Pierre Monteux dated a few days before the London premiere of Petroushka.

The Russian composer writes in full: Dear old friend I am ill — staying at home and cannot come to London for the premiere of my Petroushka. The printed scores (which have just appeared) arrived in Diaghilev’s name at the Hotel Savoya — as a matter of fact one will have to perform from these scores. Do what is necessary for me to receive them old friend. Write me what is going on in London. Will there be a dress rehearsal? How is Madame Monteux? Where is she at the present time? Friendly regards, Your very devoted Igor Stravinsky

In the first of two postscripts, the composer adds: I am sending you my photo so it will be with you when you will be performing my works. I Strav. And, referring to the failure of Petroushka in Vienna, in the second postscript he writes: Send me, dear friend, some articles after the premiere as compensation after Vienna. I Strav. Finally, he has drawn out a stave and written six notes from Petroushka with the instructions to Monteux: Watch out for the little trumpet! Tr[ompeta] Picc[olla] in D.

Composed for the Ballets Russes, Petroushka is a ballet set to music by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. It was composed in 1910–11 and revised in 1947. The ballet tells the story of a Russian traditional puppet Petrushka, who is made of straw and with a bag of sawdust as his body, but who comes to life and develops emotions.

Stravinsky, though working hard at this time on the Sacre du Printemps (Rite of Spring), did make it to London for the premiere of Petroushka.
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