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LEONCAVALLO, RUGGIERO

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LEONCAVALLO, RUGGIERO
(1857 - 1919) Italian composer and librettist known for his 1892 opera Pagliacci. Very fine content A.L.S. "R. Leoncavallo" 4pp. 8vo., Parma, Sept. 20, 1902, in French to a "Director and friend", entirely about his most famous opera, Pagliacci! In part: "...How well I have done to see M. de. Reszke here and what work we have done! You will be delighted...with the modifications that he kindly made to the translation of the role of Canio. It is superb, and it gives me the illusion of hearing my Italian text! As soon as they have finished he will come to Paris bringing the water colors and Calabrian costumes...I would like you to say a word in Le Figaro that announces two things: first, that I have come expressly to reach an agreement with my famous interpreter M. Jean de Reszke on a matter of the translation of Paillasse [the French name for Pagliacci], and to study the modifications...Second, that the mayor of Monalto, the country where the original drama took place, has ordered...from Mr. Rocco Ferrari (the celebrated Calabrian painter) the maquettes of authentic costumes from 35 years ago, and an exact reproduction of the alley of the Church where the itinerant theatre was set up during the festival...the opera will be an authentic reconstruction of Calabria such as it was at that period...". Pagliacci opened in 1892, but despite its enormous popularity, it was not performed in Paris until 1902. Boldly written and very good.