- 308
G. PUCCINI. AUTOGRAPH MUSICAL QUOTATION FROM "LA BOHÈME", TOGETHER WITH AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
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Description
- Giacomo Puccini
- Autograph musical quotation from "La Bohème" signed, together with a letter about "Turandot", both signed ("GiacomoPuccini")
The autograph musical quotation comprising the opening two bars of Mimì's aria "Mi chiamano Mimì", written in brown ink on a hand-drawn stave without words ("La Bohème...GiacomoPuccini. Milano dic: 911"), on card, c.4.5 x 10.5cm, Milan, December 1911; together with: Autograph letter to "Lampeda" in which Puccini explains that he is about to leave by car for Vienna ("in auto per Wien"), together with his son Tonio and [Angelo] Magrini, having just laid out the third act [of Turandot] with his librettist Giuseppe Adami, who is with him in Viareggio, reporting that this is nearly finished because Adami is an excellent collaborator ("...eccomi qui con Adami...e ora il libretto è quasi a Termine e vien bene--questo è l'importante--Adamo è stato abilissimo e ottimo collaboratore..."), 1 page, on a letter-card (oblong c.17 x 24.5cm), printed stationery, address-leaf obscured, Viareggio, 4 May 1923 mounted together with a photographic portrait of Puccini, 3 items in all, overall size: 35.5 x 51cm, unframed
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
Puccini had appealed to his librettist Giuseppe Adami on 19 April 1923 to help "settle everything in a very short time", including the final duet. Puccini composed most of the final act but, succumbing to throat cancer, never completed the duet. After Adami's visit, he left for Vienna to stage his final and definitive version of Manon Lescaut. The letter is addressed to "Lampeda"; Sotheby's is indebted to Dieter Schickling for explaining that Puccini generally used this nickname for his friend Riccardo Redaelli in Milan.