- 235
Puccini, Giacomo
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Puccini, Giacomo
- Good autograph letter signed (“GPuccini”), to his great confidante Sybil Seligman, about the rehearsals for Madama Butterfly in Paris
- paper
giving a vivid account of his frustrations dealing with his leading soprano Marguerite Carré, the wife of the impresario at the Théàtre-Comique; he is tempted to "give her a piece of his mind and chuck it all in", but for fear that Butterfly would not be staged, describing her unappealing characteristics, especially the grand airs she gives herself, which he pretends not to notice, and her unconvincing stage mannerisms, which she considers "typically Parisienne"; Puccini also reports that the premiere will apparently be delayed until the end of the month, lamenting that he cannot leave Paris to see Sybil, since the production might fall apart at any moment, and about some ailment dogging his time there, reporting correspondence with Paolo Tosti, M. Marès and Maurice Vaucaire, with whom he is going to see a new motor car ("...un voiturette--questo mi consola [...] e mi distrae…"), and sending the best wishes of his wife Elvira
...Cara la mia Sybil passo brutte e tristi giornate...Ma quella Mme Carré che odiosa creatura! Che arie! Mi viene la volontà di dirgliene quattro e piantare tutto. Ma non avendo pazienza come l’ho, tutto andrebbe a monte, e Butt[erfly] non si darebbe più. Allora sopporto e faccio finta di non rilevare i suoi scatti nascosti e non respirare le sue arie. Come artista non è gran cosa ma spero che finirà a riuscir bene. Certo non è vibrante che col manierismo mai sincera in come lo deve essere una parisienne come lei si proclama in tutto e per tutti…”
8 pages, 8vo, printed stationery of the Grand Hôtel de Londres, Paris, “Venerdi”, [October 1906]
...Cara la mia Sybil passo brutte e tristi giornate...Ma quella Mme Carré che odiosa creatura! Che arie! Mi viene la volontà di dirgliene quattro e piantare tutto. Ma non avendo pazienza come l’ho, tutto andrebbe a monte, e Butt[erfly] non si darebbe più. Allora sopporto e faccio finta di non rilevare i suoi scatti nascosti e non respirare le sue arie. Come artista non è gran cosa ma spero che finirà a riuscir bene. Certo non è vibrante che col manierismo mai sincera in come lo deve essere una parisienne come lei si proclama in tutto e per tutti…”
8 pages, 8vo, printed stationery of the Grand Hôtel de Londres, Paris, “Venerdi”, [October 1906]
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
A remarkable letter for its insights into the birth of one of the most popular operas in the repertory. This production in Paris included revisions demanded by Albert Carré and effectively represents the première of the opera in the form it is usually given today. Parts of this letter are published in English in V. Seligman, Puccini among Friends (1938), pp.93-93.