Donizetti, Gaetano. (1797–1848)
Autograph Musical Sketchleaf
Autograph musical sketchleaf in the hand of the important bel canto composer known for L'Elisir d'Amore, Lucia di Lammermoor, and more than 70 other operas. The present leaf with 30 measures of unidentified music penned over 6 staves, with 4 measures in the second line struck through and corrected below. The music appears to be a fragment of an instrumental line or vocal line without text, with a repeating rhythm of a half note tied to the first of four eighth notes. Four words of text have been written above the third stave. On manuscript paper with 10 staves. Overall foxing, some edge wear, central folding crease; otherwise very good. 11 x 8.75 inches (28 x 22 cm).Born in Bergamo, Italy, Gaetano Donizetti studied music at Bergamo and Bologna, and produced his first opera in 1818 at Venice. The work which carried his fame beyond Italy was Anna Bolena (1830), and he had several other successes, notably Lucia di Lammermoor (1835). Sadly, after years of untreated syphilis, he became mentally ill at the height of his career and was institutionalized. (14514)
Manuscript Music Opera