Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924) & Illica, Luigi (1857–1919) & Giacosa, Giuseppe. (1847–1906)
Contract Assigning All Rights For "Tosca" to Ricordi
Important document, written in an unknown hand, signed in ink by the composer and both authors of the libretto, dated the day before the French premiere of "Tosca" (13 October, 1903) at the Opéra-Comique, Paris, assigning to the publisher G. Ricordi of Milan all rights and proceeds from performances of the opera in France, both in French and Italian. DS, Paris, 12 October, 1903. 1 page, signed "Giacomo Puccini," "Luigi Illica," "Giuseppe Giacosa." 17.5 x 25 cm. Two contemporary registration stamps, neat creases, moderate toning and a few small pin holes at edges, overall in fine condition.Based on Victorien Sardou's 1887 French-language dramatic play, La Tosca, Puccini's opera is in three acts to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Puccini had seen Sardou's play when it was touring Italy in 1889 and, after some vacillation, obtained the rights to turn the work into an opera in 1895. Turning the wordy French play into a succinct Italian opera took four years, during which the composer repeatedly argued with his librettists and publisher. When it was finally completed and first performed (Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900), the opera was an immediate success with the public and has remained one of the composer's best loved works. For its French premiere, the 72-year-old Sardou "exuberant and lively as ever, took full command of the rehearsals, throwing his weight about as if he were not only the author of the play but also composer and producer of the opera as well." (Mosco Carner, "Tosca," p. 12) (9605)
Signed Document/Item Opera