Details
PUCCINI, Giacomo. Four autograph letters signed to Giulio Ricordi, Torre del Lago and n.p., 14 April 1903 - [postmarked 9 March 1909] and n.d., one in pencil, two on letter-cards, together six pages, 8vo (letter of 27 February 1904 torn in half vertically, with a further tear to left margin; letter of 9 March 1909 somewhat yellowed).
From light-heartedness to despair. The earliest letter sends a flowery 8-line poem of thanks ('Il ser Giulio mi manda l'uccello con dolciura e confetti d'argento'); an undated letter in pencil is also an impromptu poem, from Puccini's sick-bed, assuring Ricordi that he is much talked of ('La lingua nel palato battè per Lei ben spesso'), and sending news ('E di Parigi Illica le parlerà in dettaglio'. The letter of February 1904 draws Ricordi's attention to a favourable article -- 'an oasis in the middle of all the putrido padule of these days'. A letter of March 1909 is a cry of despair -- recovering from flu, Puccini is thoroughly discouraged: 'My poor work! I feel remorse, and I suffer so much the more for you than for me. I feel as if I have lost my own I ... Loneliness annihilates me'. (4)
From light-heartedness to despair. The earliest letter sends a flowery 8-line poem of thanks ('Il ser Giulio mi manda l'uccello con dolciura e confetti d'argento'); an undated letter in pencil is also an impromptu poem, from Puccini's sick-bed, assuring Ricordi that he is much talked of ('La lingua nel palato battè per Lei ben spesso'), and sending news ('E di Parigi Illica le parlerà in dettaglio'. The letter of February 1904 draws Ricordi's attention to a favourable article -- 'an oasis in the middle of all the putrido padule of these days'. A letter of March 1909 is a cry of despair -- recovering from flu, Puccini is thoroughly discouraged: 'My poor work! I feel remorse, and I suffer so much the more for you than for me. I feel as if I have lost my own I ... Loneliness annihilates me'. (4)
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