Lot 289
  • 289

P. MASCAGNI. FOUR AUTOGRAPH LETTERS AND TWO AUTOGRAPH MUSICAL QUOTATIONS, ALL SIGNED, 1892-1909

Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Pietro Mascagni
  • Four autograph letters to the journalist Eugenio Checchi ("Tom"), about his operas "Guglielmo Ratcliff" and "Iris", and two musical quotations, all signed (“P.Mascagni”)
a) Four letters to Eugenio Checchi, one giving a highly detailed account of rewriting Guglielmo Ratcliff after having left it incomplete, although drafted in full score, for several years; two letters about the preparations for the premiere of Iris at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome (22 November 1898), emphasizing that the orchestra is the “vital element” in the opera and his difficulties dealing with the one at Rome; and one about the delicate and perilous situation Mascagni finds himself in having assumed responsibility for managing the opera season at the Teatro Costanzi in 1909, 13 pages, 8vo and 4to, 2 autograph envelopes, Cerignola, Pesaro and Rome, 2 June & 22-28 August 1893 and 30 November 1909   b) Two quotations, one from the Act 2 finale of I Rantzau (1892), comprising the opening five bars of Gianni’s appeal for Luisa to marry Lebel, "Io che sognavo già dei suoi figlioli", notated for baritone voice and piano on six staves, signed and inscribed to Checchi below the music, eleven days after the premiere, ("A Tom, purchè non lo pubblichi, Roma 21 Novembre del ‘92, P. Mascagni”), 1 page, folio (c.29 x 22cm), 16-stave paper, uncut, integral blank, Rome, 1892; and a brief quotation from Guglielmo Ratcliff (1895), notated on a hand-drawn stave for baritone, from the opening scene, signed and inscribed “[...] ma l'andar pareami lento/ P.Mascagni, Roma, 19.4.928”), 1 page, c.7 x 15.5cm, irregularly cut and laid down

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."