- 26
Illica, Luigi
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Illica, Luigi
- Nine autograph letters and cards signed (“Tuo Illica”), seven to Arturo Toscanini
- ink and paper
including a long letter to Castelli about the death and funeral of Catalani, discussing a disagreement with the publishers Edoardo Sonzogno and Renzo [Valcarenghi, of Ricordi's] (“...il più ignorante analfabeta in fatto di musica e di teatri di tutti i tempi, anche quelli che verranno!...”), asking Toscanini to intervene to prevent the composer [Franco] Vittadini being conscripted and sent to the Front, remarking on the 20th anniversary of La Bohème and André Chenier (for which he was the librettist), enclosing a photograph of the Kaiser, and complaining that he has not written
22 pages, various sizes, 15 August 1893-25 November 1919, some tearing and browning to some of the letters
22 pages, various sizes, 15 August 1893-25 November 1919, some tearing and browning to some of the letters
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Luigi Illica was one of the leading librettists of Italian opera, writing the texts for Puccini's La bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly. One of his first librettos was for Catalani's most famous opera La Wally in 1892, and he shared Toscanini's predilection for the composer. Illica gives an account of Catalani's death from tuberculosis, from which he had suffered for as long as Toscanini had known him. He and Illica had held a vigil over the ailing Catalani in August 1893; Toscanini went home to sleep and, returning early next morning, he found him dead.
...Gli ultimi giorni furono terribili—quando comprendeva, quando poteva rendersi una ragione del sua stato, erano dolori atrocissimi...che gli toglieva la conoscenza di ogni cosa e persona. Le ottime sue parole furono un rimpianto amarissimo all' opera d'arte che gli palpitava nella mente. Ma all'estremo momento, al freddo della morte provò come un sollievo...
...Gli ultimi giorni furono terribili—quando comprendeva, quando poteva rendersi una ragione del sua stato, erano dolori atrocissimi...che gli toglieva la conoscenza di ogni cosa e persona. Le ottime sue parole furono un rimpianto amarissimo all' opera d'arte che gli palpitava nella mente. Ma all'estremo momento, al freddo della morte provò come un sollievo...