![PUCCINI, Giacomo (1848-1924), composer. Group photograph signed ("Giacomo Puccini"), also signed by conductor Arturo TOSCANINI (1867-1957), playwright and librettist David BELASCO (1853-1931), and Giulio GATTI-CASSAZA (1869-1940), director of the Metropolitan Opera, by an unidentified photographer, [New York, December 1910].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2007/NYR/2007_NYR_01938_1103_000(021400).jpg?w=1)
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PUCCINI, Giacomo (1848-1924), composer. Group photograph signed ("Giacomo Puccini"), also signed by conductor Arturo TOSCANINI (1867-1957), playwright and librettist David BELASCO (1853-1931), and Giulio GATTI-CASSAZA (1869-1940), director of the Metropolitan Opera, by an unidentified photographer, [New York, December 1910].
7 x 8½ in., approximately. Boldly signed in ink by each man, across his image. Neatly matted and framed. Unexamined out of frame.
PUCCINI AND THE COLLABORATORS WHO BROUGHT "FANCIULLA DEL WEST" TO THE STAGE AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
An atmospheric interior scene, with light from a window to the right. Puccini is seated at the right, cigarette in hand; slightly behind is the standing figure of Toscanini, in the center position is the seated dramatist Belasco and at far left, the seated Gatti-Casazza. Belasco had previously written the book for Madame Butterfly. While Puccini was in New York for Butterfly he attended another Belasco play, The Girl of the Golden West, that seemed to him to be well suited to operatic treatment. Puccini contracted with Belasco for rights to adapt the play, and, working with two librettists, completed the new opera, which had its triumphant premiere under Toscanini's baton on 10 December 1910 at the Metropolitan Opera. The work--set in the rough-and-tumble California gold-mining camps--remains very popular, especially in the U.S.
7 x 8½ in., approximately. Boldly signed in ink by each man, across his image. Neatly matted and framed. Unexamined out of frame.
PUCCINI AND THE COLLABORATORS WHO BROUGHT "FANCIULLA DEL WEST" TO THE STAGE AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
An atmospheric interior scene, with light from a window to the right. Puccini is seated at the right, cigarette in hand; slightly behind is the standing figure of Toscanini, in the center position is the seated dramatist Belasco and at far left, the seated Gatti-Casazza. Belasco had previously written the book for Madame Butterfly. While Puccini was in New York for Butterfly he attended another Belasco play, The Girl of the Golden West, that seemed to him to be well suited to operatic treatment. Puccini contracted with Belasco for rights to adapt the play, and, working with two librettists, completed the new opera, which had its triumphant premiere under Toscanini's baton on 10 December 1910 at the Metropolitan Opera. The work--set in the rough-and-tumble California gold-mining camps--remains very popular, especially in the U.S.