- 104
Puccini, Giacomo
Estimate
2,500 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Puccini, Giacomo
- Five autograph letters, one on a postcard portrait of the composer, signed (“G.Puccini”) to Sybil Seligman, October to December 1911
- paper
Asking her help in finding a good subject for an opera, especially a sad one, telling her that he frequents theatres in Milan searching for a suitable subject without success, responding to a number of her suggestions, including Sumurun (Max Reinhardt’s pantomime on the Arabian Nights, warning her that the Orient is not really for him, but promising that he will get it translated), Lorna Doone, Garrick and Anima Allegra (not bad but a bit light), remarking that he is looking for something different, very sorrowful, expressive of moral suffering but without any violence, as that is the very essence of life; he also discusses performances of La fanciulla del West, including at Treviso, Waterbury, Turin and Naples, where he criticizes the lethargic conducting of Leopoldo Mugnone (“...sono sempre alla cerca senza profitto...Ora che la cosa Allegra la posso avere, cerco un contrasto--dolore--dolore--dolore che è la bandiera della vita, ho voglia di esprimere degli strazi morali senza pugne nè drama forte…”)
6 pages, 8vo, five on letter-cards with his printed address and autograph address-panels (c.24.5 15.5cm), and one postcard (c.14 x 9.5cm) showing the composer wearing a hat and holding a cigarette, stamped and postmarked, Torre del Lago and Milan, 21 October to 30 December 1911
6 pages, 8vo, five on letter-cards with his printed address and autograph address-panels (c.24.5 15.5cm), and one postcard (c.14 x 9.5cm) showing the composer wearing a hat and holding a cigarette, stamped and postmarked, Torre del Lago and Milan, 21 October to 30 December 1911
Literature
V. Seligman, pp.211-214, the letter on card unpublished
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
In these letters, Puccini gives an insight into his search for a good libretto, essentially one that expresses human suffering but without bloodshed or violent melodrama (so, not verismo, for example). Always on the lookout for suitable plots, he generally followed up Sybil Seligman’s useful suggestions.