Bellini, Vincenzo. Auction
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Lot 0010
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Bellini, Vincenzo.
Bellini, Vincenzo.
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10. Bellini, Vincenzo. Autograph letter signed (“Bellini”), in Italian, 1 page (8.12 x 5.25 in.; 206 x 133 mm.), Bergamo, 20 August [1832], to the Baron Denois; red wax seal and seal tear, mounting remnants on corners of page and on the integral address leaf.

Bellini provides valuable information on his most famous opera, Norma.

The Italian composer writes in part: La Norma goes on stage the day of the 22nd, and that of the 25th and 26th is also La Norma; so, according to your orders, I have procured a seat for those two days, but in the third row, those of the 1st and 2nd being already occupied. I was rather pleased to hear your resolution to come … the day of the 25th, and also Madame Basson to whom I presented your compliments and those of your lovely family. She asked me to send to you her kind regards, as well as to the Baroness and your cousin. I pray you to please pass on my respects to both . . .Bellini.

Norma is a tragedia lirica or opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani after Norma, ossia L’infanticidio (Norma, or The Infanticide) by Alexandre Soumet. It was first produced at La Scala in Milan on 26 December 1831.The opera is regarded as a leading example of the bel canto genre and a major soprano aria, “Casta diva,” in Act 1, is one of the most famous of the nineteenth century.

Norma was completed by about the end of November 1831. While, for Romani, it became the most beautiful rose in the garland of all his work with Bellini, it was not achieved without some struggles. Bellini, now at the height of his powers, was very demanding of his librettist and required many re-writes before he was satisfied enough to set it to music. At the opening night, the opera was received with indifference.

In a letter to his uncle on 28 December 1831, Bellini tried to explain the reasons for the lack of reaction. As other commentators have also noted, some problems were innate to the structure and content of the opera, while others were external to it. Bellini discusses the tiredness of the singers (after rehearing the entire second on the day of the premiere) as well as noting how certain numbers failed to please—and failed to please the composer as well. But then he explains that most of the second act was very effective. It appears from the letter that the second evening’s performance was more successful and it was from this performance forward that Norma was recognized as a successful and important opera. In all, Norma was given thirty-four performances in its first season at La Scala, and reports from elsewhere, especially those from Bergamo, when it was staged in late 1832, confirm that it was becoming more and more popular. Indeed, the present letter provides valuable information on the very first Bergamo performances of Norma and the growing popularity of Bellini’s opera.

Autograph letters by Bellini are excessively rare, especially those with the mere mention of his Norma.
$10,000 - $15,000

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Bellini, Vincenzo.

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