- 143
Verdi, Giuseppe, --Giuseppina Verdi
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Verdi, Giuseppe
- Important autograph letter by Verdi's wife signed ("Giuseppina Verdi") to the impresario [Antonio] Gallo, about Verdi and the Requiem, 12 June 1875
- ink on paper
describing the health of her husband and reporting the forthcoming performance of his Requiem in Venice, using the same musicians as today’s triumphant account in Vienna, expressing the hope that it will be successful both musically and financially and regretting that Verdi will be unable to come to Venice and see the “magical Lido”, ("...So che la Messa di Verdi, si darà in Venezia nel venturo mese, sotto la direzione del Maestro Faccio e colla stessa compagnia, che l’eseguisce ora trionfalmente in Vienna…")
2 pages, 8vo, watermark ("Joyson 1874"), Vienna, 12 June 1875
2 pages, 8vo, watermark ("Joyson 1874"), Vienna, 12 June 1875
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
Verdi directed the successful Vienna première of the Requiem on the day of Giuseppina’s letter. He subsequently spent a couple of days in Venice, but did not stay for Gallo’s theatrical staging with scenery of the Requiem at the Teatro Malibran. All five performances under Franco Faccio were sold out, the receipts totalling over 82,000 lire, although Verdi expressed concerns about the extravagance of the Byzantine staging: see M. J. Phillips-Matz, Verdi (1993), pp.614-615. Abbiati refers this letter, but does not publish it (F. Abbiati, Giuseppe Verdi, iii, p.753).