Autograph musical manuscript titled and signed on the first page, "Le Gladiateur—Claude Debussy," and at the conclusion, "Finit le Samedi 9 à 4 h, Claude Debussy," 28 pages (numbered 1–10, 36–46, 46, 47–52), 10.5 x 14, no date but circa June 1883. Unpublished manuscript of a large part of the cantata "The Gladiator," with which Debussy won second place at the Prix de Rome in 1883. The present manuscript is the score for voice and piano, written in black and brown ink and set into 3 or 4 line systems (of a total of 24 systems per page, each carrying the embossed signet of the Papeterie Lard Esnault). Nine of the 25 missing pages were formerly kept in the collection of Hélène de Tinan, Debussy's stepdaughter (from his marriage with Emma Bardac). The piano part is written on 3 or 4 staves. The first part, with the Prelude, then Narbal's Tale and Air (tenor), is carefully written. From page 36 onwards, where Fulvie (soprano) and Narbal come to join Metellus (bass), the writing becomes hastier and more cursive: this is obviously the first draft manuscript, including sketches, erasures and corrections (leaf 46 is duplicated, abandoning a sketch on the first sheet). In very good to fine condition, with wear and chipping to the detached covers; the manuscript pages themselves are also detached, but in overall fine, clean condition.Format: Autograph Musical Manuscript