Milan, January 5, 1908. Single sheet. Autograph letter in Italian, signed by the great composer in red ink to his friend Carlo Clausetti (in translation): "You have written an excellent work on Tristan; it is most interesting, and very well put together. Tosca here has full houses and is a great success. At the first performance there was panic but as soon as the chaff had disappeared, a strong and incisive interpretation by Toscanini came to the surface, with a competent stage production. I am still waiting for the end of the libretto so I can attack the work. I am convinced, quite convinced that the subject is right--something really good." Creasing from old folds. Approximately 9.5 x 6.25 inches (24 x 16 cm) (sight). In mat with a portrait of Puccini, and unexamined out of double-pane plexiglass frame, 16 x 17.25 inches (40 x 44 cm).

Carlo Clausetti (1869-1943) co-managed the Naples branch of Casa Ricordi, a family-run firm of music publishers established in 1808. The company was very successful through its distribution of work by Italian and international composers, and managed the reproduction rights for Puccini himself. Notably, Puccini here makes reference to his famous opera Tosca, that had premiered in January 1900.