Jeu de cartes des Opéras romantiques
Costumes from four operas premiered at the Paris Opera between 1830 and 1840.
Romantic opera originated in Germany and Italy in the early 19th century. Early exponents included Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini. In France, Romantic operas by Giacomo Meyerbeer (Les Huguenots and Robert le Diable), Luigi Cherubini (Ali-Baba), and Daniel Auber (Gustave III) all had their first performances at the Paris Opera between 1830 and 1840. Costumes from these operas are reproduced on the court cards and Jokers in this pack, with the name of the character given at the top of each card. See the box►
Above: Jeu de cartes des Opéras romantiques made by Héron, Bordeaux, for Bibliothèque-Musée de l’Opéra, Paris, France, c1990. 2 x 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in drop-lid box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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