Thomson, Virgil. (1896-1989)

"Four Saints in Three Acts" - Autograph Musical Quotation

AMQS of the important American composer's 1927 opera Four Saints in Three Acts. Thomson has penned the first two measures of his work and signed on the verso of the handwritten collector's letter asking for his autograph, which is signed by a Howard Moliff and dated March 15, 1982. Light creases; overall in very fine condition. On hole-punched notepaper. 8 x 10.5 inches (20.3 x 26.7 cm). Autograph quotations from this pathbreaking work are surprisingly uncommon.

The work was first performed at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT on Feb. 7, 1934 and opened on Broadway 2 weeks later. Revolutionary in a number of ways, the libretto has more to do with the sounds of the words than with presenting a coherent narrative. The portrayal of the European saints by an all-black cast was the first of its kind, and the sets, designed by Florine Stettheimer, included cellophane backdrops, with costumes - also by Stettheimer - made of colorful lace, silk and taffeta. The choreography was by Frederick Ashton, after Balanchine had turned down the job. (13436)

AMQS Classical Music