- 462
Peri, Jacopo, [Peri, Jacopo.]
Estimate
4,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Peri, Jacopo
- L'Euridice d'Ottavio Rinuccini, rappresentata nello sponsalitio della christaniss[ima] regina di Francia, e di Navarra [à Henry IV], Florence: Cosimo Giunti, 1600
- paper
first edition of the libretto for the first surviving opera, ff.[4], 16, 4to (c.19.5 x 14cms), woodcut devices on title and (full-page) last page ("nil candidius"), dedicatory epistle by Rinuccini to Maria de' Medici, naming Jacopo Peri as the composer (dated October 1600), text in italic letter, contemporary corrections to text on C1, nineteenth-century calf-backed marbled boards, joints broken (covers detached), some browning and foxing.
Provenance
From the collection of André Meyer (1884-1974).
Literature
Fuld, Librettos, p.95 (the first of 3 issues), Watanabe-O'Kelly & Simon 1229; Censimento 16 CNCE 28564; ICCU\UBOE\009891; Gamba 2966; Sonneck (librettos], p.460; Hirsch, iv 1391.
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."
"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
"Few other genres have their beginnings as precisely determined as opera. Its landmark is the first performance of Euridice, with music by Jacopo Peri on a text by Ottavio Rinuccini, which took place on the evening of 6 October 1600" (Nino Pirrotta). The opera was performed for the celebration of the marriage of Maria de' Medici to Henry IV of France. Rinuccini's preface to the opera is a celebrated statement of the aims of opera: he explains that "E' stata opinione di molti Christianiss. regina, che gl'antichi Greci, e Romani cantassero su le Scene le Tragedie intere"; ie it has been "the opinion of many" that Ancient tragedy was sung throughout, and that Jacopo Peri, the composer of the music, had overcome his fears that modern music might not be able to recreate the splendour of Greek drama. Rinuccini's epistle is reprinted in Sonneck, p.460, and a translation appears in O. Strunk, Source Readings in Music History, (1952), pp.367-369. Peri's music for the opera survives, but was not printed. Giulio Caccini also set Rinuccini's text at this time, but it was not performed until 1602 and no separate issue of the libretto was produced for it.