MUSIC - Gaetano Donizetti (Bergamo, 1797 - ib., 1848) - Autograph letter signed

Gaetano Donizetti (Bergamo, 1797 - ib., 1848)Autograph letter signed (Donizetti), dated Paris, 22nd October 1839, by the Italian opera composer. To the music publisher Schoenenberger in Paris. This intriguing letter sheds light on relationships between musicians and publishers at the time. Donizetti, certainly in reply to Schoenenberger’s proposal of a work agreement, explicitly states his conditions: "Opera en un acte – Dix mille fr. / En deux – 14 mille / En trois – 18 mille / En quatre – 24 mille". These are the general conditions which do not include "le grand Opera et les traductions". Following are the payment conditions: "Payer la somme après la première représentation, comme vous me l'avez promis". In the postscript line, Donizetti urges for a promptagreement: “ce soir si cela est possible". He could ask for these amounts because a few months earlier, on August 6, 1839, his French opera "Lucia di Lammermoor" achieved an extraordinary success. The proposal was also mentioned in another letter from Donizetti to Tommaso Persico on October 8 (see Zavadini n.328 pp502/3), in which he refers to an offer from a French publisher that he cannot accept, both because of the amount proposed and for some other conditions. It should be mentioned that during this period Donizetti was working on the opera "Poliuto" which was performed on April 10, 1840. 1 p. In-8°. Addressed on the 4th, which also contains a line of postscript. The letter is unpublished.