R. Strauss, Autograph letter signed, about Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia", 4 November 1905 [?]

STRAUSS, RICHARD

Autograph letter signed ("DrRichard Strauss"), to Pauline Viardot ("Hoch geehrte Frau"), ABOUT ROSSINI'S "IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA", 4 November 1905

written in German but in Roman script, informing Viardot of his intention to perform Il barbiere and requesting advice concerning the performance of coloratura, asking her whether it would be being faithful to the composer's intentions to perform the work according to the original score or whether Rossini himself used or accepted coloratura versions by other musicians of the singing parts (especially that of Rosine), such as were employed first by Adeline Patti, ("...Ich beabsichtige demnächst Rossini's Barbier möglichst stylrein u. nach Rossini's Intentionen hier neu einzustudiren...")

1 page, 8vo (c.18 x 11,5cm), integral blank, on headed letter-paper of the composer, Charlottenburg [Berlin,] 4 November 1905 [?]

A letter of exceptional interest, to the great French mezzo-soprano Pauline Viardot (1821-1910), whose father Manuel Garcia had created the role of Almaviva in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia.

PROVENANCE:

Formerly in the collection of Martine Le Cesne, Pauline Viardot's great-great-granddaughter, and her husband André Le Cesne.