Sanquirico, Alessandro

72 leaves, large oblong folio (39.2 x 47cm), 2 calligraphic title-pages, 70 finely-coloured aquatints, including neo-classical frontispiece, 7 plates illustrating scenes from Giovanni Pacini's opera L'ultimo giorno di Pompei, and 62 illustrating scenes from operas by Mozart, Rossini, Meyerbeer and ballets, by Carlo Sanquirico, Castellini, Diastoli, Carolina Latose and others after Alessandro Sanquirico, interleaved throughout with original watermarked tissue guards, fine, fresh impressions of the plates, contemporary cross-grained red morocco gilt, Greek-key panels, thin serrated fillets, the outer frame with neo-classical roundels, leafy margins & turn-ins, flat spine gilt in compartments, with simple intersecting geometrical devices, brown endpapers, stubs from wrappers, corners and spine worn at head and foot, a few light stains in the margins, legend to Mayr's "La Fedra" rather faint, small tear to margin of "Numa Pompilio" repaired on verso

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 is a magnificent early set of Sanquirico's scenes for La Scala, Milan.

The plates show not just set designs, but also the singers and dancers for important productions at La Scala, dating from 1812 until 1827. This is evidently an early set of plates, being both very crisp and including early productions from 1812-1817 that we have not seen illustrated in later copies of this work covering the period 1817 to 1832.  The series is complemented by the seven spectacular designs for Pacini's L'ultimo giorno di Pompei in 1827, depicting the eruption of Vesuvius.   

Alessandro Sanquirico (1777-1849) was the chief designer and scene-painter at La Scala during this most important period in its history.  His sets are notable for the introduction of exotic locations and architecture (including in the "Egyptian" style), grandiose neoclassical arcades, subterranean temples and Romantic cataclysms.  There are spectacular designs for scenes set in Egypt (Memphis, the Pyramids and Damietta), Babylon, Ancient Greece, Crete, Mecca, the Ottoman Empire (including Tarsus), and Persia.  

The operas illustrated include Mozart's La clemenza di Tito (1819), Rossini's La gazza ladra (the premiere, 1817), Ciro in Babilonia and Semiramide (1824, set in Babylon), Meyerbeer's Il crociato in Egitto and early ballets not found in later copies of this work: Salvatore Viganò's L'alunno della giumenta (1812), Gli Strelitzi (1812), Numa Pompilio (1815) and Gioia's Arsinoe e Telemaco (1814).  The latest illustrations date from 1827; later copies also include scenes from Bellini's Norma (1832).