OPERA. – Charles GOUNOD (composer). Romeo et Juliette, Opera en 5 Actes de J. Barbier et M. Carré. Paris: Choudens Père & Fils, [circa 1890.] Signed by Charles Gounod to soprano Adelina Patti, 4to (273 x 177mm.) Musical score for piano and three voices. (Browned.) Original buckram, gilt initials of ‘A.P.N.’ [Adelina Patti Nicolatti] to upper cover (rebacked with original spine partially laid-down, extremities rubbed). Note: the inscription reads: ‘á Juliette Adelina Patti-Nicolini, esquisse de grace et touchante de sentiment’. Charles Gounod’s ‘Romeo et Juliette’ premiered in Paris in April 1867. Adelina Patti had first sung the role of Juliette at the London premiere in Covent Graden the same year. When she reprised the role in 1888 in Paris, Adelina was the most famous soprano in the world. In her prime she had been able to command $5,000 a night for a performance. In 1888 she was performing with Jean de Reszké in the role of Romeo. Gounod has inscribed this copy to ‘Adelina Patti-Nicolini’ because in 1886 she had married the tenor Ernesto Nicolini, who had accompanied and sung with her around the world. Provenance: Adelina Patti (initials to upper cover and gift inscribed to on second blank). – And a related item (a framed and glazed ‘Souvenir of the State Performance at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden’, July 1893) (2).