L12402

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Lot 36
  • 36

Donizetti, Gaetano.

Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description

  • Autograph manuscript sketch-leaf for part of Act One of the opera Marino Faliero,
  • ink on paper
an early working draft for the original version of the duet for two basses [Israele and Faliero] in Act One, notated in black ink, on five three-stave systems, for voices and bass line, with the words "Chiede il brando, Si...di Fallier...", the characters unidentified, with autograph deletions and additions, an early draft of the original cabaletta (vivace) in A-flat major, diverging considerably from both Donizetti's first and final versions of the opera,  



1 page oblong 4to, 16-stave paper, [probably Naples, late 1834], trimmed at the top edge, possibly from a larger sheet, 2 tiny holes

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."

Catalogue Note

Donizetti composed Marino Faliero for the Théâtre-Italien in Paris in 1835 (it dates from the same year as Lucia di Lammermoor).  This is an early sketch for the original ending of the Paris version of the cabaletta to Israele and Faliero's Act One duet ('Tremar ti sembri e fremere').  Donizetti replaced this for the Italian premiere in Florence the following year, with a moderato ('Trema, o Steni'), which is the version in the complete Ricordi vocal score. In any case, the present manuscript represents an early version of the cabaletta, the words and music diverging significantly even from the original version performed in Paris and London: "Chiede il brando, Si...di Fallier/ e se la patria opprimono/ periscano i fratelli/ s'uccidano s'uccidano/ salviam la patria ancor".  See W. Ashbrook, Donizetti and His Operas, (1982), p.686-687n.  Ashbrook considers this duet one of the great moments in the opera, as Israele tries to rouse Doge Marino Faliero to conspire against his rival Steno, this being his patriotic duty (Ashbrook, p.371).

This cabaletta only appears in the editions of the original Paris version of Donizetti's opera: the passage sketched here corresponds to pages 64-67 of the vocal score by Pacini of Paris, plate number 3110 (3114).  It does not appear in the Ricordi vocal score of 1836, which contains the revisions for Florence.