PHILIDOR, [Francois-A[ndré) D[ancian]: Tom Jones. Comedie Lyrique en trois Actes. Représentée par les Comediens Italiens du Roy, pour la prem.re fois Le 27 fevrier 1765. Et remise avec des changements Le 30. Janvier 1766. Dédiée ... Le Duc Regnants des deux Ponts Prince Palatin du Rhin, Duc de Baviere etc ... [Partitur] Paris, chez L'Auteur ... et aux adresses oridinaires de Musique (ohne PlattenNr.) [1766] Folio. 2 ff., 172 pp. Partly somewhat waterstained. 1 leaf with tearout (without loss of notes). Few leaves browned. Binding somewhat loosened. Nice, strong print. 21/11 Contemporary half leather binding . Light traces of use.

Rare first printing of the score, still without the name of the publisher on the title page. With the dedication page to the Duke of Zweibrücken and the "Privilege" of the King. Henry Fielding's 1749 novel of the same name served as the model for the drama lyrique. "Tom Jones" is an early example of the sentimentalization that reached its first peak in Grétry's "Lucile." The musical numbers display an instrumental compositional style oriented toward contemporary symphonic movement techniques and sonata form. In the complexity of the score with sensitive parts, comic and picturesque plot elements lies the strength of the score" (Schneider/Wiesend. Die Oper im 18. Jhdt. p. 276). - Philidor was one of the most successful composers in Paris in the mid-18th century. He was also famous as a chess player, which he did for a time for a living. - RISM P 1908 (only 2 copies in German libraries)