MUSIC - Giuseppe Verdi (Le Roncole, 1813 - Milano, 1901) - Autograph letter signed "G.Verdi"

Giuseppe Verdi (Le Roncole, 1813 - Milano, 1901)Autograph letter signed "G.Verdi", not dated [probably January 1869]. To "C.[aro] G.[iulio]"[Giulio Ricordi, music publisher]. A letter of significant musical interest concerning to Verdi's opera "La Forza del Destino". After the premiere at the Imperial Theatre in St. Petersburg on November 10, 1862, Verdi, not completely satisfied, desired to make some changes. However, since the librettist Francesco Maria Piave was ill, he decided to ask for the new version Antonio Ghislanzoni. The letter, addressed to Ricordi who acted as a liaison between Verdi and Ghislanzoni, can therefore be dated to January 1869 (see Abbiati III p. 244 for a brief note of three letters exchanged between Verdi and Ricordi regarding the revision).The new version is now almost complete, but Verdi would like to make some further changes to the final part of libretto, particularly to Scene VIII and IX of the IV Act: "Nel far la musica dell'ultimo pezzo m'accorgo che sono necessari (ed é la musica stessa che me lo dice) alcuni schiarimenti che gioveranno molto alla scena". He states: "lo per non perder tempo mi son promesso di aggiungere alcune frasi che serviranno come di Patron e che Ghislanzoni ridurrà in versi cristiani" and he proposes a series of variations to the final trio Alvaro-Leonora-Padre Guardiano. He concludes the letter hoping "di non aver più bisogno di nulla" and expresses his gratitude to Ghislanzoni, asking Ricordi "e gli direte di voler accettare (e mi scusi) per spese di carta, inchiostro, etc. etc... la somma di L. cinquecento che voi gli farete pagare per conto mio". The letter testifies how important it was to verdi the harmony between the text and the music, as well as the final scenic effect.Interestingly, not all of the Maestro's suggestions were accepted by the librettist, and the final text presents some variations, likely suggested by Ghislanzoni himself. The new version of "La Forza del Destino", including a symphony and four acts, premiered at La Scala in Milan on February 27, 1869. The letter is unpublished. 2½ pp. In-8°. A restored tear on the 1st sheet, 2nd sheet glued to the cardboard support.