- 93
Puccini, Giacomo
Estimate
2,500 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Puccini, Giacomo
- Humorous autograph verse on card, signed ("Giacomo Puccini"), about the heroines of his operas, undated [9 December 1900]
- ink on paper
to Luigi Cesari, reciting the heroines of La Bohème ("Mimì she's sweet, Musetta she's mad"), Manon Lescaut ("Manon dies singing") and Tosca ("Tosca kills"), pondering the mystery lying behind these fleeting voices, but never mind the music, the money ends up with Cesari
E' dolce Mimi, Musetta è pazza,
Manon muore cantando e Tosca ammazza
Chi sa il mistero che l'asconde in questa
onde di voci alate e fuggitive?
Passan le note, ma caro il mio Cesari
di tutte e quattro ti restano i denari
1 page, oblong 16mo (9.4 x 11.2cm), printed card of the Teatro Comunale, [Bologna], no date, [Bologna, around 9 December 1900]
E' dolce Mimi, Musetta è pazza,
Manon muore cantando e Tosca ammazza
Chi sa il mistero che l'asconde in questa
onde di voci alate e fuggitive?
Passan le note, ma caro il mio Cesari
di tutte e quattro ti restano i denari
1 page, oblong 16mo (9.4 x 11.2cm), printed card of the Teatro Comunale, [Bologna], no date, [Bologna, around 9 December 1900]
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
Luigi Cesari was the impresario at the Teatro Regio, Turin, where both Manon Lescaut and La Bohème were first performed. Cesari also published the librettos for Puccini's operas featuring all four heroines. Puccini composed this poem in response to one by Cesari, received when he attended Tosca in Bologna on 9 December 1900. This poem has been published, but without recourse to the autograph, consequently with some text-differences. Sotheby's is happy to acknowledge the advice of Dieter Schickling in our cataloguing of this and other Puccini lots.