Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus.

first edition of the libretto of Die Entführung aus dem Serail, 67 pages, 8vo (17.5 x 10.3cm), woodcut vignette to title, ownership stamp to inside upper wrapper, contemporary stencilled wrappers, some light damp-staining, including to title, light browning and spotting, worming to inner margin of last two leaves, final leaf strengthened, some corners creased, a few corners restored, wrappers stained and repaired

Fuld, p.87; Hirsch, iv 1382; Sonneck, p.442

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Extremely rare. We have not traced a copy of this remarkable edition at auction during the last twenty-five years.

Mozart's Singspiel Die Entführung aus dem Serail - was first performed at the Vienna Burgtheater, Mozart conducting, on 16 July 1782; of all the composer's great operas it was the one most widely performed during his lifetime. Mozart's own contribution towards Gottlieb Stephanie the younger's libretto (a revision of Bretzner's Belmonte und Constanze), as revealed in his letters, was considerable. Some striking evidence for this is provided by the composer's autograph manuscript of part of the first two scenes of Act I (to b.128 of no.2)  - sold in these rooms on 6 December 1991, and now in the Bibliotheca Mozartiana, Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum, Salzburg.