- 213
Verdi, Giuseppe
Estimate
1,800 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Verdi, Giuseppe
- Two autograph notes, one about Beethoven, Gluck and Handel, and memoranda about his finances in 1898
- paper
1) Part of an autograph letter [to the critic Camille Bellaigue], in which he takes issue with Bellaigue's preference for Gluck over Handel, Verdi asserting that Handel was much the better musician, and expressing his agreement about the "tre colossi” of music, comprising 23 incomplete lines in all, unsigned, [Milan, 2 May 1898], 1 page, c.18 x7 cm, torn into pieces, repaired on verso with tape
2) Autograph memorandum of Verdi's financial accounts in March 1898, titled "Pro Memoria", listing shares in banks in Milan (“Cassa di Risparmio”), comprising railway shares and the public debt, amounting to 622,200 Lire, and funds deposited in the “Cassa a Genova", [Genoa], 20 March 1898,, 1 page, oblong (c.11 x 13.8cm), very fine paper, torn into pieces, laid down
2) Autograph memorandum of Verdi's financial accounts in March 1898, titled "Pro Memoria", listing shares in banks in Milan (“Cassa di Risparmio”), comprising railway shares and the public debt, amounting to 622,200 Lire, and funds deposited in the “Cassa a Genova", [Genoa], 20 March 1898,, 1 page, oblong (c.11 x 13.8cm), very fine paper, torn into pieces, laid down
Literature
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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
This fragmentary draft of the well-known letter to Bellaigue was a response to the latter's Portraits et silhouettes de musiciens. Verdi gives his opinions about many famous composers in his letter, which, in the final version, ends with an impassioned and detailed defence of Rossini and Bellini (“...[Tutti] sono d'accordo con voi sul...Gluck, ma io [deleted: non posso] credo...che malgrado il suo [deleted: forte]...[sentime]nto drammatico, Egli [deleted: non] [è]...come da riguardarsi...meglio ai [deleted: altri] migliori del suo tem[po, e come music]ista inferiore a Handel...”). The final version is preserved in Verdi's retained copybook I copialettere, and has been quoted, translated and reproduced many times; see: (G. Cesari & A. Luzio, I copialettere di Giuseppe Verdi, (Milan: 1913) p.415, (letter no. CCCLXXXVII) and C. Osborne, Letters of Giuseppe Verdi, London: 1971), p.263 (letter 289).