MUSIC - Amilcare Ponchielli (Paderno, 1834 - Milan, 1886) - Autograph letter signed (A. Ponchielli)

Amilcare Ponchielli (Paderno, 1834 - Milan, 1886)Autograph letter signed (A. Ponchielli), dated Milan, April 10, 1883, by the Italian composer. Addressed to Antonio Ghislanzoni. He discusses the opera "I Mori di Valenza" for which he is composing music based on Ghislanzoni's libretto. So far he has received the verses of the "Coro (...) che va egregiamente, e mi piace assai".He praises the librettist: "se dovrà succedere un'auto-da fé ciò sarà per la musica se non riesce, non mai per i tuoi versi". Yet, he is tormented by the thought that the opera would not proceed as he plans: "Ho la convinzione che in quella mia musica non siavi soltanto di sicuro effetto che un solo pezzo!" and he adds: "appena avrò ideato qualche cosa del Coro verrò a farti sentire (...) perché tu mi dica se la musica merita la fine della madre di Azmena". The opera "I Mori di Valenza" was left incomplete due to Ponchielli's death and was later finished by Arturo Cadore. It was presented for the first time in Monte Carlo on March 17, 1914, receiving considerable acclaim. 4 pp. In-8°, 74 lines. The text includes two musical bars.