Peri, Jacopo. (1561 - 1633)
L'Euridice - FIRST EDITION of the 2nd Opera in History
In Fiorenza: Cosimo Giunti. 1600. First edition of the libretto. [4ff.], 16ff., 4to. Quarter calf, cloth boards. Some light foxing and water stains, title a little browned, but generally a very good copy. Bookplate on inner board identifying this volume as from the collection of Baron Horace De Landau (1824-1903).Exceptionally rare. This historically important opera is the first where the music survives, and is one of the earliest operatic libretti to have been published, see below.
According to Fuld, World Famous Libretti, pp.95-96 our copy is listed as first of three or four variants. He mentions that he has been unable to establish priority, but there was certainly some resetting of the type to the variants, which he lists as two and three. Sartori Vol.III, p.77; Sonneck p.460.
It was Peri who composed La Dafne, which is considered the first opera in the history of it: only one copy is known of the first edition (1597). L’Euridice is the second opera to have been composed and, as we have stated above, the first in which the music survives. It was premiered on 6th October 1600 as part of the wedding celebrations in honour of Henry IV, King of France and Maria Medici. Apparently according to the preface by Peri in the publication of the score in 1601, Caccini composed some of the music. (6592)
Printed Music Opera