- 114
Rossini, Gioachino
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Rossini, Gioachino
- Autograph letter signed ("G. Rossini"), to Gaetano Fabi, 6 October 1859
- ink on paper
a letter of introduction for his good friend Michele Accursi, who is visiting the newly-independent city of Bologna, to see his uncle (of the same name), a landowner from Sant’ Agostino, near Ferrara, where he lived during his youth, asking him to introduce him to his lawyer Dr. Sadori, whom he has to consult on business and, in a postscript, asking him to reimburse [Nicola] Ivanoff for his expenses dealing with his old servant Pietro ("...Piaciavi...procurarle la conoscenza del mio Legale Dot. Sardori ch[e] egli consulterà probabilmente per alcuni affari suoi...")
1 page, 4to (c.23 x 19cm), watermarked ("J Whatman Turkey Mill 1837"), Paris, 6 October 1859, slight splitting at fold
1 page, 4to (c.23 x 19cm), watermarked ("J Whatman Turkey Mill 1837"), Paris, 6 October 1859, slight splitting at fold
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
Michele Accursi (1802-after 1879) was a shadowy figure who acted as Donizetti’s agent in Paris, but who probably also spied on Italian exiles for the Vatican. See Ashbrook, Donizetti and his Operas, (1982), p.630n. A certain "Accursi"” played violin in one of Rossini’s soirées musicales in Paris on 1 April 1859, but it is not clear that this is the same man. Bologna was abandoned by the Austrians on 12 June 1859, a week after the Battle of Magenta, marking both the end of Papal power in the city and Austrian rule in Italy. Rossini moved to Paris in May 1855, settling in the rue de la Chaussée d’Antin, close to the Opéra, in 1857.