Verdi, Giuseppe

expressing his admiration for one of the most prolific of late eighteenth-century Italian composers, applauding the celebrations taking place to commemorate his centenary in Naples, and expressing his regrets that he cannot attend, explaining that he finds all engagements exhausting, particularly those pertaining to music ("...Ammiratore di uno dei più fecondi e sinceri Compositori Italiani della fine del secolo passato, applaudo alle feste che si faranno in onor suo a Napoli, dolente di non poter prendervi parte...")

1 page, 8vo, autograph envelope. stamped and postmarked, Montecatini Terme, 14 July 1899,   

I copialettere di Giuseppe Verdi, no. CCCLXXXIX, p.417 (cf Copialettere, p.632 and Osborne no.251)

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."

Verdi does not name the composer to be celebrated at Naples, but it was Domenico Cimarosa, the composer of Il matrimonio segreto (1792).  In a letter to Arrigo Boito in 1887, Verdi included Cimarosa among the canon of composers studied in Italian conservatories. Cimarosa died on 11 January 1801 and, in the event, Verdi survived the date of his centenary by sixteen days.