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GIACOMO PUCCINI: (1858 - 1924) Italian operatic composer whose works include La Boheme, Tosca and...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
GIACOMO PUCCINI: (1858 - 1924) Italian operatic composer whose works include La Boheme, Tosca and...
GIACOMO PUCCINI: (1858 - 1924) Italian operatic composer whose works include La Boheme, Tosca and Madame Butterfly. A superb association piece, an original score of Puccini's beloved opera La Fanciulla del West, which premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York on Dec. 10, 1910, 338pp. 4to., New York: Boosey & Co., boldly inscribed on the first page of music: "To Acton Davis G. Puccini New York, Dec. 1910". Davis, a music critic, gave this inscribed copy to lyricist Anne Caldwell at the Polianis Restaurant (next to the old Met) after a Dec. 1910 rehearsal of the opera, with Puccini, Arturo Toscanini, Enrico Caruso and David Belasco, among others, present. Ms Caldwell later gave the score to her mentor, noted conductor Victor Baravalle, according to a letter of provenance by Baravalle dated Apr. 13, 1979 (copy included). Baravalle rebound the score in black leather, adding a nameplate on the cover reading: "The Girl of the Golden West Puccini Victor Baravalle". Obtained by us from a direct descendent of Baravalle, with notarized copies of letters of provenance from Baravalle and his son, Edward D. Baravalle. Tape repairs and reinforcements to the bound edge of about 50 pages throughout the volume, including the page opposite inscription, with a few pages remaining loose, else very clean and good condition, with a fine, bold inscription. Should be viewed. $1,000-1,500