[Malibran, Maria. (1808-1836)] Paer, Ferdinando. (1771-1839)
Autograph Letter to Malibran, with Sketches in the hand of Malibran
Fascinating letter from the important Italian composer to the great soprano. Autograph letter signed, Paris 13 del 1828, to Mme Malibran-Garcia ; 1 page, 4to. Integral address leaf, letterhead printed "Musique du Roi, Le Directeur de la Musique particulière du Roi et de Madame la Duchesse de Berry." In Italian.A charming letter to Malibran, decorated with three drawings by the singer herself. Paer tells his dear friend that a carriage will pass to collect her around 8:00 and asks her to be ready. He gives the program: "Duetto del Crocciato, l’Aria della Pasta nel Otello" and "il piccolo quartettino da camera 'Ridiam, Cantiam" and maybe also "un piccolo Bollero," and sends "mille complimenti" to her sister [Pauline Viardot]. At the head of the letter and on the address leaf, Malibran has herself sketched three drawings of a woman in profile crowned with a diadem.
One of the central figures in the development of the "opera semiseria" at the start of the 19th century, in Vienna, Paer knew Beethoven and composed an opera "Leonora" (1804) the year before Beethoven's "Fidelio" (1805) with the same story. Paer succeeded Spontini as Director of the Theatre Italien in 1812 and retained the post during one of its finest periods until the mid-1820s. He composed many fine works which were frequently performed through the 19th century and he later became director of chamber music and Maitre de Chapelle to Louis-Philippe. (9394)
Autograph Letter Opera