Leoncavallo, Ruggero

inviting Toscanini to Brissago so that he can play Zazà to him throughout, responding to the successful première but asking for further rehearsals for Acts 2 and 3, suggesting the the singers arrive at 8 o'clock in the morning so as to rehearse on stage without the orchestra, before the full dress rehearsal at 9 o'clock, so that they can take care of everything, reserving the evening to concentrate on Act 4; in his letter about Pagliacci, Leoncavallo warns Toscanini about the baritone Luigi Montesanto, who has adopted the practice of singing the famous 'Prologue' himself (properly the role of Tonio), dressed in tails, and then proceeding to sing the role of Silvio in costume, a practice (imitating Battistini) that the composer trusts Toscanini will prevent (“...Ora io non permetto assolutamente a Milano che il Prologo si canti in frac ma nella veste di Tonio : e tanto meno che chi canta il Prologo canti poi l'altra parte...perchè è indespensibile che sia Tonio e non Silvio chi canti il Prologo...”); he also praises Toscanini repeatedly as an artist, but laments the fact that he has not included Der Roland von Berlin (1904) in his season in Germany, and extends the salutations of his publisher Edoardo [Sonzogno],

17 pages, 8vo, Brissago (Ticino), Milan and Montecatini Terme, 11 October 1900 to 7 September 1915, typed transcriptions, minor dust-marking

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."

Toscanini conducted the première of Pagliacci.