Details
VERDI, Giuseppe (1813-1901). Autograph letter signed to an unidentified correspondent, St Agata, 15 April 1874, referring to the Requiem and how it should and should not be performed, 1 page, octavo, integral manuscript address leaf in another hand
The letter appears to be addressed to a correspondent called Parmigiani but its interest lies in the composer's insistance that in performing the Requiem not only quality but also quantity is important and necessary to avoid a performance perfetta, [but] piccola e magra. The Requiem was first performed on 22 May 1874 and immediately became a popular success, resulting in many performances which were clearly inappropriate.
The letter appears to be addressed to a correspondent called Parmigiani but its interest lies in the composer's insistance that in performing the Requiem not only quality but also quantity is important and necessary to avoid a performance perfetta, [but] piccola e magra. The Requiem was first performed on 22 May 1874 and immediately became a popular success, resulting in many performances which were clearly inappropriate.