Puccini (Giacomo) Tosca, vocal score, signed and inscribed

Tosca. Melodramma in tre Atti, di V. Sardou, L.Illica, G. Gaicosa, Riduzione per Canto e Pianoforte di Carlo Carignani, vocal score. First edition, first issue, signed and inscribed in fountain pen on title page "Giacomo Puccini, ricordo della bella serata passata al Circolo, Nizza 14. Marzo 906", light handling wear, contemporary half cloth, endpapers with a very few small spots of foxing, 4to, [Milano] Ricordi. pl.no.103050; blindstamped: 12.1899; in a matching cloth-bound slip-case.

***Desirable first edition, first issue of the vocal score of one of Puccini's most beloved operas [Hopkinson 5A.; Schickling 69/E/1.]

The opera was first performed on January 14th, 1900, in Rome. The "Circolo" was the Circolo Artistico Italiano which had given Puccini a sumptuous banquet, with speeches, tributes, and gifts, which was followed by a concert of Puccini's music, just before March 14 (when he inscribed the score). "Tosca" was given at the Théatre du Casino Municipal de Nice during the Puccini festival at that time. "Manon Lescaut" was performed as well on March 19th, 1906.