- 179
Puccini, Giacomo
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
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Description
- Puccini, Giacomo
- Autograph musical quotation from "Madama Butterfly", the heroine's theme, marking her evocative first appearance in Act One, boldly signed and inscribed ("Butterfly...GiacomoPuccini, Wien Oct. 913")
- paper
comprising the two-bar instrumental motif which accompanies Butterfly and her entourage (singing behind the stage), notated in black ink, for solo violin in C major, on a single hand-drawn stave
1 page, 8vo (14.3 x 21.2cm), on printed note-paper bearing the red-and-black crest of the Hotel Bristol, Vienna, October 1913
1 page, 8vo (14.3 x 21.2cm), on printed note-paper bearing the red-and-black crest of the Hotel Bristol, Vienna, October 1913
Literature
J. Budden, Puccini (2005), pp.247-248; M. Carner, Puccini (1974), p. 387.
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 theme introduces one of the most evocative and spectacular entrances of any heroine in Italian Opera. It is played by solo strings in octaves, in a rising sequence, whilst Butterfly slowly approaches the stage. Puccini quotes the second occurrence of the theme, where Butterfly enters with the words "Spira sul mare e sulla terra". Julian Budden writes that this theme, "diaphanously scored, conjures up the vast expanse of sea and sky on which the female chorus exclaim 'Quanto cielo! quanto mar!', the augmented fifth, with its cluster of whole tones adding to the suggestion of infinity". Puccini later uses this theme to mark the climax to the great love duet that closes Act One: see Figure 39 (page 50 of the vocal score by Ricordi), and the duet at Figure 134. Puccini visited Vienna in October 1913 for the first production there of La fanciulla de West.