Puccini, Giacomo - Autograph Letter Signed 1906

Famous Italian opera composer (1858-1924), one of the greatest in the history of the genre. Interesting autograph letter signed, to his close friend Sybil Seligman, dated on November 8th, 1906. 

Puccini refers to having read one of Wilde´s plays (Florentine Tragedy), which he was in those days considering for an opera, mentions meeting with composers Isidore de Lara and Umberto Giordano in Paris and a recent bad performance of Madama Butterfly at Covent Garden, a comment he asks Seligman to keep secret.

"I have had Wilde`s plays. I saw De Lara, who was most awfully nice, with Giordano at a dress rehearsal at the Opera Comique, and he told me how poor the performances had been at Covent Garden. What a pity! But with such an orchestra, etc. etc., it was only to be expected - but this entre nous.

I am in the worst of tempers today - and you write that you will be coming on the 24th - you keep on putting it off! And when is Butterfly coming on - I haven´t the vaguest idea! We are starting rehearsals again tomorrow, I am tired to death of Paris - I should like to be in London or Torre del Lago - or in a wood where the foliage is thick."

Four small pages in bifolio format, with scattered foxing, signature on the last one, 4.5 x 5.75 inches, very good condition.

ALSO INCLUDED ARE:

- Copies of pages from Vincent Seligman´s book "Puccini Among Friends" (1935), where this letter is partially translated and discussed (not scanned). Vincent Seligman (1895-?) was the son of Sybil Seligman.

- An autograph letter, dated in 1948, signed by Vincent Seligman to British composer Michael Hurd (1928-2006) responding to his request of Puccini´s letter and discussing about the current interest in Puccini´s music. See scans.