Rossini, Gioachino

in which he responds unusually forcefully to an apparently intemperate letter from Mercadante, and impresses upon him the absolute necessity of fulfilling the contract he has signed, after protracted negotiations, with the town and church councils at Bologna (including San Petronio), rather than taking up a position at the Naples Conservatory instead, reminding him how exceptionally well Bologna has honoured him, pointing out that he would only find himself amidst warring factions and indifferent living conditions in Naples, and urging him to preserve his good name and standing for the good of his family (“..la lasciereste voi se sleale mancaste al vostro contratto sacro!!...”),

3 pages, 4to (27 x 20cm), integral autograph address panel, Bologna, 26 August 1840, browning, small postal-seal tear affecting one word of the text

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 letter is remarkable for its forthright expression of outrage and sarcasm by Rossini, whose letters are generally noted for their politeness, evasive courtesy and even occasional circumlocution.  Mercadante was a worthy, if rather self-important, composer of elaborately-written serious operas, and one of Verdi’s and Donizetti’s main competitors.  In 1840 he was probably at the height of his fame, having recently written such successful operas as Il giuramento and Il bravo. Like many composers he sought the security and respectability of a position as head of a famous Conservatory such as that at Naples.

"Caro Mercadante
Ho ricevuta la tanto ritardata e inconcepibile vostra lettera del 20 Corte la quale per la sua leggerezza m’ha riempita l’anima di stupore, lettera che io terrò presso me da tutti ignorata, intendendo cosi salvare il vostro decoro e la mia convenienza, senza entrare in tutti i particolari di questo delirio mi limiterò solo rispondere alle due cose che sembrano essere lo principal scopo del vostro foglio, cioè; domandate la mia protezione, chiedete un mio consiglio! Inquanto alla protezione che amicalmente io chiamo premura, assistenza, cooperazione, etc, etc: parmi averla tutta esaurita nell’aver condotto a buon fine il vostro contratto con Questo Savio Consiglio comunale di Bologna..."