Boito, Arrigo. (1842-1918)

Playful Signed Note to Ricordi

A charming and very amusing autograph note from the composer and librettist who is remembered chiefly for his libretti for Ponchielli (La Gioconda) and Verdi (Otello and Falstaff), and for his own Mefistofele. On a small page, Boito writes to the music publisher, Ricordi (in Spanish, though both of them were, of course, Italian). In full: "Al estimado y amable amigo Don Julo Ricordi / onorable Cristo / del orden del Caballero / presento y refijo / el mas veradadero y resamblante naso / del su afectisimo / Enrique Boito" [To the esteemed and loveable friend / Don Giulio Ricordi / honorable Christ / of the order of the Knight / presenting and exemplifying / the most true and representative / nose/ from his affectionate / Arrigo Boito."

1 page, sold with the original transmissal envelope, addressed "Don Julo Ricordi" and signed "A.B." (4289)
Autograph Letter
Opera