Rossini, Gioachino

to his friend Giacomo Pedroni of the publishers Ricordi’s in Milan, expressing his great delight that Donizetti might conduct the Italian premiere at Bologna (“...il mio modesto Stabat Mater…”), informing him that he would give his life and all his worldly goods if it were so, averring that Donizetti would be fêted like a bridegroom and it would counter the unfortunate impression some people still have of him; Rossini also discusses securing the principal singers for the performance and organising their travel, expressing concern over their passports, undertaking to act as surety for Count Pompeo Belgiojoso, and to pay his fees if the Padre cannot, urging him to see Clara Novello, and persuade her to come to Bologna as there is no time to lose, and finally asking how he is himself (“...E tu????????...”)

"...Sarebbe vero che Donizetti voglia venire a Bologna? Per Dio se ciò fosse vero io sarei il più beato degli uomini, dille che a lui confiderei il mio Stabat; che egli me lo diriggerà, le offro in Cambio la mia vita e quanto posesso al mondo, sarebbe egli onorato e festeggiato come lo marito e si ricrederebbe forse sulle false impressioni di cui [è] tutt’ora in Preda..."



2 pages, 4to (c.25 x 20cm), integral autograph address leaf ("Al Signore / Il Sig^r Maestro Pedroni”), Bologna, 26 February 1842, splitting along folds, some repaired with white tape, small seal tear

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The Stabat Mater was one of Rossini’s most important later works. He did not hear the first public performance in Paris on 7 February 1842. A few weeks later he wrote to Donizetti asking him to come to Bologna to conduct it, putting his house at his disposal.  Donizetti directed three very successful performances in Bologna on 18-20 March.  Rossini’s long-term aim was to persuade Donizetti to assume the directorship of the Liceo Musicale in Bologna. Giacomo Pedroni worked for Ricordi, liaising with composers about performances of their works; Rossini addresses him in the familiar “tu” form, according him the title "Maestro", which usually means a composer or conductor.