George Dandin
First edition. A very fine wide-margined copy finely bound in morocco in Rivière's Jansenist style.
Rare and sought-after.
Molière, known as Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. George Dandin, or the Confounded Husband. Comedy. By J. B. P. de Molière.
Paris, Jean Ribou, 1669. With Royal Privilege.
First edition of this comedy premiered at Versailles in July 1668, at the request of Louis XIV, on the occasion of the sumptuous festivities that were to celebrate France’s victory and the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle.
Tchemerzine, IV, 790; Guibert, I, pp. 281 to 285.
The privilege is dated September 30, 1668; there is no colophon.
Molière came up with the idea of transforming one of his rustic farces, which his troupe from time to time performed at the Palais Royal, into a true three-act prose comedy. A comedy of manners and character, “La Jalousie du barbouillé” thus became “George Dandin ou le Mari confondu.”
Molière played in the piece the role of the Confounded Husband, that is, the deceived husband, the peasant who had the misfortune to want to rise above his station by marrying a frivolous woman from a completely different background.
The play was a great success at Versailles.
The show was conceived by Molière and Lully. Enhanced by a pastoral, it would never again be performed in its entirety in the theater. In fact, ballet and music were integrated into the comedy, blending together as never before.
Philipe Beausant highlighted its stakes and originality. (Lully ou le Musicien du Soleil, 1992, pp, 349-361).
Molière revived the play at the Palais Royal, without sung or danced interludes; it confirmed there the good impression it had left at court.
Very beautiful copy, large-marginedof this rare and sought-after first edition, finely bound in citron jansenist morocco by Rivière.
The Mortimer L. Schiff copy, bound by Chambolle-Duru, was recently sold for €19,000.
