Puccini, Giacomo

describing the performance in Bologna in October 1905, reporting that he had had to fight hard for its eventual success, aided by Toscanini's great conducting and ruined by a fainting fit by one of the audience ("...a Bologna ho dovuto lottare non poco, ma il successo c'è stato...Lo svenimento d'uno del pubblico al finale 2o che mi rovinò l'effetto. Toscanini fu straordinario come direttore. Il resto buono, ma niente di più..."), discussing Tennyson's Enoch Arden, which Sybil has sent him, but confessing that, although the characters are vivid, the material is generally too slender to derive from it the powerful style of opera he really needs to compose these days ("...Lessi l'Enoc di Tennyson che mi piacque ma lo trovo troppo tenua cosa per trarci un'opera...di polso come devo farla adesso..."), and conveying the greetings of his wife Elvira,

2 pages, large 8vo (up to 24.5 x 15.5cm), on blue and grey letter-cards, Milan and Torre del Lago (Pisa), autograph address panels, stamps, 30 October and 16 December 1905, the first letter defective at top and bottom

Seligman, pp.69-70

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."