Bertoni, Ferdinando Giuseppe (1725-1813)

including sinfonias, arias, ensembles and recitative, written in brown ink on systems of up to nine staves per page, with parts for oboes, horns, strings and bass, and both serious and comic characters: Lindoro (soprano), Lesbina and Nerina (comic altos), Eurilda (serious alto), Mastriccio (tenor) and Burlotto and Frisellino (basses), 3 volumes, 171, 119 and 79 pages, oblong 4to (c.23 x 32cms), 10-stave paper, uncut, contemporary inscribed blue wrappers, Italian provenance, mid eighteenth century

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."

This in an important manuscript of Bertoni's most successful comic opera (called a dramma giocoso  in Goldoni's printed libretto).  The autograph is lost and, of the four known manuscript copies, only one, in Lisbon, also contains the recitatives.  The opera was widely performed , including in Dresden, Madrid and London (in 1761, when the "Favourite Songs" were published by Walsh).  The opera (whose title means "the Fisherwomen"), contains both comic and serious roles; it was composed for Venice in 1751, and was the first setting of Goldoni's libretto.