- 265
Verdi, Giuseppe
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Verdi, Giuseppe
- Autograph working notes about Falstaff, addressed to the librettist of the opera, Arrigo Boito, unsigned
- paper
comprising notes on the stage directions, text and costume designs for the fairy scene in Act 3, Part 2, namely for the pantomime intended to bamboozle Falstaff in the final scene; Verdi makes suggestions for the dress of each character, their stage movements and includes lines from the libretto sung by Alice ("Evita il tuo periglio"), by Nanetta ("Troviamo un nascondiglio"), and by Mistress Quickly (" Vieni, Ti coprirò col velo bianco"), including draft stage directions.
...Nanett regina delle Fate
Meg ninfe verde
Alice colla maschera
Quickly Befana
Bardolfo in cappa rossa
Pistola da satiro
Cajo in cappa grigia
Fenton in cappa nera
Ford in maschera...
1 page, 8vo, integral autograph address leaf ("Arrigo Boito Villa Rostan Pegli/ se potete venire qui"), [Genoa, c.1891]
...Nanett regina delle Fate
Meg ninfe verde
Alice colla maschera
Quickly Befana
Bardolfo in cappa rossa
Pistola da satiro
Cajo in cappa grigia
Fenton in cappa nera
Ford in maschera...
1 page, 8vo, integral autograph address leaf ("Arrigo Boito Villa Rostan Pegli/ se potete venire qui"), [Genoa, c.1891]
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
Unpublished: not in Busch, Verdi's Falstaff in Letters and Contemporary Reviews (1997), nor M. Conati & M. Medici, The Verdi-Boito correspondence. (1994). This vivid manuscript is one of Verdi's working papers for his final opera, Falstaff. Such working memoranda are of the highest rarity, and indeed we have little knowledge of the genesis of this opera, simply because of the dearth of surviving sketches.
Verdi appears to have designed this list of characters, their costumes and movements, originally for his own use, but the leaf was then folded and a supplication to Boito to come over and assist is written on the outside. Presumably both composer and librettist were staying at Genoa at the time.