Puccini, Giacomo

About his work on Turandot, announcing the completion of Act 2, and his work with the librettist Adami on forging the final duet, expressing his relief at getting the text finalized, but confessing that progress is hampered by his troubled throat and persistent cough, the first mention of the symptoms of his undiagnosed throat cancer (“...sono stato poco bene e ancora ho mal di gola e tosse ostinati...”);  Puccini hails the success of Gianni Schicchi in London, but expresses his doubts about the forthcoming season there (“...anche i balletti italiani debbono esser robaccia…”), and the continually-delayed premiere of Boito’s Nerone in Milan, promised for “the end of February”,  then “the end of April”, and of which he expects little (“... Andrò all’ultimo momento per Nerone, che credo sarà un Bluff...”); he also asks Sybil if she will find him a new dog, a Setter, from one of her Irish cousins, and extends the good wishes of his wife Elvira to her and her husband David (“...Aspetto Adami che verrà martedi o mercoledi per accomodare il famoso duetto del Terzo atto...Adami è qui per finire il libretto, il duo finale che finalmente è venuto benissimo…ho avuto anche per Turandot momenti di gran dubbio, queste è mia grande pena, ma poi rinasce il sereno e la fiducia...”)

9 pages, 4to (26.5 x 21cm), and an autograph postcard showing the Villa Puccini at Viareggio, printed blue stationery, Viareggio, [January] 1924 to 13 March 1924, slight creasing at original folds, a few discreet markings in red crayon and pencil by the editor

Vincent Seligman, Puccini among Friends (1937), pp.352-354 (one letter unpublished); Budden, Puccini (2002), p.442 & 466.

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 an attractive series of letters about Puccini’s last opera, in particular Adami’s libretto for the final duet (“Principessa di morte”).  Sybil Seligman was Puccini's most important confidante during his last two decades.  Puccini’s throat cancer was not diagnosed until the summer, but Sybil had visited him in January and noted his "insistent cough and sore throat".   Puccini had always been an enthusiastic smoker.  Despite his illness, Puccini left a clear continuity draft for the duet for Calaf and Turandot, and the opera proved to be one of his greatest successes, albeit posthumously.