- 236
Puccini, Giacomo
Estimate
2,500 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Puccini, Giacomo
- Five autograph letters signed (“GPuccini”), to Sybil Seligman ("Cara Sybillina"”), about Madama Butterfly in Paris, and one to her son
- paper
expressing his concerns about the ever-receding date set for the première, noting that it was originally going to happen on the 10 December, then the 15th and now they have told him the 19th, but he doesn’t believe it, remarking on the inadequate soprano, but praising the staging and the orchestra; he remarks on the great success of Madama Butterfly at New York, Washington, Baltimore and Boston, thanks her for sending the copy of Oscar Wilde’s Florentine Tragedy, asks her about the season at Covent Garden, and about the scant success of his music there, complaining about his various ailments, thanking her for the medicine that Carlo Carignani bought from her, discussing her son Vincent’s recent accident at school, trying to reassure her that young boys recover quickly ("...Prevedo sempre ritardi ad andare in scena! Vedrete che prima del 10 o anche il 15 dicembre non andremo!...[le prove:] oggi meglio--ma Madame pomme de terre è insufficiente. Mise en scene bella. Orchestra comincia entrare...andrà 19 così mi disse ma non ci credo farà…"), together with an autograph postcard to Vincent wishing him a speedy recovery, 6 items in all
18 pages, 8vo, two letters on card, three on printed stationery of the Grand Hôtel de Londres, Paris, November to December 1906, most undated (“sabato sera”; “martedì notte”), 14 November 1906 where dated
18 pages, 8vo, two letters on card, three on printed stationery of the Grand Hôtel de Londres, Paris, November to December 1906, most undated (“sabato sera”; “martedì notte”), 14 November 1906 where dated
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
The Paris premiere of Madama Butterfly at the Théâtre-Comique finally took place on 28 December 1906. A short extract from one letter appears in V. Seligman’s book Puccini among Friends (1938), p.94.