Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893). Autograph musical manuscript signed, Agnus Dei (Messe des morts), [1838]; oblong folio (26 x 34 cm) with title and 9 pages. unpublished early work for choir and orchestra. [CG 158] This Agnus Dei was composed for the anniversary mass celebrated in memory of his master Jean-François Lesueur in the church of Saint-Roch on October 29, 1838; the other parts of the mass were composed by Ambroise Thomas, Antoine Elwart, Ernest Boulanger and Louis Dietsch. This Agnus Dei was noticed by Berlioz, who judged it beautiful, very beautiful. Everything about it is new and distinguished: the singing, the modulations, the harmony. M. Gounod has proved that everything can be expected of him (Revue et Gazette musicale, November 4, 1838). At 12/8, in F sharp, this Agnus (41 bars) is written for three soloists (soprano, tenor and bass) and a choir of the same three voices, with organ and orchestra consisting of 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trombones, timpani, 4 solo cellos, cellos and double basses. For the 1838 mass, the soloists were a child from the choir school, Alexis Dupont and Louis Alizard. The manuscript is carefully notated in brown ink on 20-line oblong paper. We refer to Gérard Condé's detailed analysis (Charles Gounod, Fayard 2009, p. 765-766), who judges this Agnus Dei to be seductively inspired and sonorous, with nothing conventional or mawkish about it.