Details
VERDI, Giuseppina Strepponi (1815-1897). Collection of 12 autograph letters signed and 9 correspondence cards and visiting cards signed to Giulio and Giuditta (5) Ricordi, one to Mrs Tito Ricordi, Genoa, Sant'Agata and n.p., 20 July 1868 - 12 October 1895 and n.d., letter of 1 March 1869 and card of 24 March 1889 with brief autograph notes by Giuseppe Verdi, together 28 pages, 8vo and 4to, and 15 pages on correspondence and visiting cards; envelopes.
Peppina Verdi's letters to the Ricordis are full of invitations and expressions of good wishes, evidence of the long and warm relationship between the families of the composer and his publisher. In a number of letters, Peppina writes on operatic matters, with fine references to Verdi himself and to his works: in December 1868 'Verdi will come to Milan to attend the rehearsals of Forza del Destino'; in March 1869 'I wish Forza del Destino to continue doing well for the advantage of our families and for the glory of my Verdi, which is also un petit peu for the glory of Italy'. On one occasion, there is even a reminiscence of Peppina's own life as an opera singer: 'io amo l'arte a cui ho appartenuto ed il mio paese, che quest'arte ha sempre illustrato, anche nei momenti della sua maggior decadenza' [I love the art to which I belonged and my country, which this art has always illuminated, even in the moments of its greatest decadence]. An undated letter of 1867 announces the death of Antonio Barezzi, father of Verdi's first wife, Margherita: 'Verdi, only Verdi, had the power to wake him with his voice and to make him talk until the last moment! ... And my Verdi ... the chorus from Nabucco! ... was his last moment of joy!'. Verdi's own contributions to the letters are two very brief notes -- 'I have no time today. I'll reply tomorrow'. (23)
Peppina Verdi's letters to the Ricordis are full of invitations and expressions of good wishes, evidence of the long and warm relationship between the families of the composer and his publisher. In a number of letters, Peppina writes on operatic matters, with fine references to Verdi himself and to his works: in December 1868 'Verdi will come to Milan to attend the rehearsals of Forza del Destino'; in March 1869 'I wish Forza del Destino to continue doing well for the advantage of our families and for the glory of my Verdi, which is also un petit peu for the glory of Italy'. On one occasion, there is even a reminiscence of Peppina's own life as an opera singer: 'io amo l'arte a cui ho appartenuto ed il mio paese, che quest'arte ha sempre illustrato, anche nei momenti della sua maggior decadenza' [I love the art to which I belonged and my country, which this art has always illuminated, even in the moments of its greatest decadence]. An undated letter of 1867 announces the death of Antonio Barezzi, father of Verdi's first wife, Margherita: 'Verdi, only Verdi, had the power to wake him with his voice and to make him talk until the last moment! ... And my Verdi ... the chorus from Nabucco! ... was his last moment of joy!'. Verdi's own contributions to the letters are two very brief notes -- 'I have no time today. I'll reply tomorrow'. (23)
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