[Paganini, Nicolò. (1782–1840)] Bennati, Francesco. (1798–1834)
Recherches sur le Mécanisme de La Voix Humaine. INSCRIBED to PAGANINI.
Paris: J.- B. Baillière. 1832. First edition. [Recherches sur le Mécanisme de La Voix Humaine, précédé du rapport de MM. G. Cuvier, de Prony et Savart] 8vo (21.6 X 13.4 cm). 160 pp, 1 f. Folding lithographic table. Paper wrappers, marbled spine with original label affixed, front wrapper stamped "Gabinetto Medico-Chirurgico per la cura delle Malattie dell'Orecchio, del Naso e della Gola." First and last pages reinforced with paper along inner margin (glue remnants along margin), scattered light foxing, table stained, otherwise good condition. INSCRIBED on the half-title by the author to the legendary violinist/composer, Paganini: "De l'auteur à son excellent et honorable ami N. Paganini. Bennati."Francesco Bennati was an Italian baritone who later became an eminent physician. Primarily a laryngologist, he was the house physician to the Opéra-Italien in Paris and the present volume is primarily concerned with the vocal problems of the two famous baritones Domenico Donzelli and Gaetano Crivelli. Bennati was also the personal physician of Paganini and his first-hand accounts and detailed discussion of his unusual hand structure - published in 1831 as "Notice Physiologique sur Nicolo Paganini" - remain important sources of information on the violinist's legendary technique. (3501)
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