Verdi, Giuseppe

comprising full-page photographs of Verdi's autograph manuscript of the overture composed for Milan in December 1871, with a long inscription by Toscanini on the flyleaves, including a transcription from one of Verdi's letters, in which the composer had explained that, during one of the rehearsals at Milan, he had tried out something that had the 'air of a sinfonia' about it, but that the excellence of the orchestra only served to highlight the pretentious dullness of the piece, which he promptly withdrew, always asserting thereafter that Aida had "no sinfonia", 

76 pages, large 4to (c.29.5 x 22.5cms), the black and white photographs mounted on guards, twentieth-century red half-calf, flyleaves annotated and dated by Toscanini ("30 Marzo 1940 == durata 8.⁵⁵")  spine becoming detached

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 gave the first public performance of this Sinfonia in an NBC broadcast in 1940, based on (and possibly conducting from) this copy of Verdi's autograph.  Aida was composed for and first staged at Cairo on 24 December 1871, the score containing only the brief orchestral prelude still performed today.  Verdi did not go to Cairo, but instead stayed in Genoa, preparing for the Italian première at La Scala, scheduled for the following February.  During that time, Verdi composed the present full-scale overture, intending it for Milan, and dating it 27 December 1871.   He withdrew the piece after hearing it in rehearsal, as he explained in a letter published by Luzio in the Carteggi verdiani.

...non esiste nessun sinfonia di Aida...avrei piutosto dire che in una delle prove d'Aida a Milano, io feci eseguire un pezzo dall'Orchestra che aveva come l'aria d'una Sinfonia...ma l'eccellenza dell'orchestra non valse che a far meglio sortire la pretenziosa insulsaggine di questa creduta sinfonia...