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A collection of printed libretti for Italian operas, oratorios, cantatas and ballets, including texts set by Haydn, Alessandro Scarlatti, Antonio Bononcini, Gasparini, Pergolesi, Hasse, Paisiello, Galuppi and Piccinni, most Modena or Reggio, late-16th to mid-19th century.
Details
Pietro Metastasio (1698-1782) and others
A collection of printed libretti for Italian operas, oratorios, cantatas and ballets, including texts set by Haydn, Alessandro Scarlatti, Antonio Bononcini, Gasparini, Pergolesi, Hasse, Paisiello, Galuppi and Piccinni, most Modena or Reggio, late-16th to mid-19th century.
In over 130 volumes of libretti and approx. 80 plays, many bound in decorative papers, others with fine engraved frontispieces and vignettes, some with annotations. Over two hundred volumes in total, 75 x 125mm to 185 x 230mm. In 19 modern archival boxes. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 18 & 19 May, 1989, lot 476.
An extensive and attractive collection of libretti, especially for operas and oratorios, focused on two key centres for the development of opera, Reggio and Modena. The most widely represented librettist is Metastasio, whose collaborations with Torreli, Tozzi and Paisiello among others are included. Among the large body of oratorios are a number of publications which coincide with the reign of Francesco II d’Este of Modena, and indeed many bear a dedication to the Duke as their patron. Francesco fostered performances of sacred music in Modena and was a patron of Vitali and Bononcini, who are represented here. Haydn is represented by his oratorio Il Ritorno de Tobia, the composer’s earliest known work in this form. Among the group of spoken dramas is a rare early edition of Guarini’s Il Pastor Fido, dating from 1592. Also present is an edition of Orlandini’s Griselda, published at the time of a revival at the Teatro San Samuele in Venice, which bears a dedication to the production’s patron, George Parker, later the 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, a record of his grand tour during 1720-22.
The decorative papers used to bind the libretti include various examples of fine contemporary embossed and gilt floral designs as well as others with repeat pattern designs, some in watercolour paints, others printed from blocks or using stencils, examples with marbled, sponged or combed designs.
A full list is available on request.
A collection of printed libretti for Italian operas, oratorios, cantatas and ballets, including texts set by Haydn, Alessandro Scarlatti, Antonio Bononcini, Gasparini, Pergolesi, Hasse, Paisiello, Galuppi and Piccinni, most Modena or Reggio, late-16th to mid-19th century.
In over 130 volumes of libretti and approx. 80 plays, many bound in decorative papers, others with fine engraved frontispieces and vignettes, some with annotations. Over two hundred volumes in total, 75 x 125mm to 185 x 230mm. In 19 modern archival boxes. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 18 & 19 May, 1989, lot 476.
An extensive and attractive collection of libretti, especially for operas and oratorios, focused on two key centres for the development of opera, Reggio and Modena. The most widely represented librettist is Metastasio, whose collaborations with Torreli, Tozzi and Paisiello among others are included. Among the large body of oratorios are a number of publications which coincide with the reign of Francesco II d’Este of Modena, and indeed many bear a dedication to the Duke as their patron. Francesco fostered performances of sacred music in Modena and was a patron of Vitali and Bononcini, who are represented here. Haydn is represented by his oratorio Il Ritorno de Tobia, the composer’s earliest known work in this form. Among the group of spoken dramas is a rare early edition of Guarini’s Il Pastor Fido, dating from 1592. Also present is an edition of Orlandini’s Griselda, published at the time of a revival at the Teatro San Samuele in Venice, which bears a dedication to the production’s patron, George Parker, later the 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, a record of his grand tour during 1720-22.
The decorative papers used to bind the libretti include various examples of fine contemporary embossed and gilt floral designs as well as others with repeat pattern designs, some in watercolour paints, others printed from blocks or using stencils, examples with marbled, sponged or combed designs.
A full list is available on request.
Provenance
Sotheby's London, 18 & 19 May, 1989, lot 476
Brought to you by
Emily Pilling
Senior Sale Coordinator