Italian composer (1801–1835). An organist’s son, he was sent by a Sicilian nobleman to the Conservatorio of Naples. Il Pirata carried his name beyond Italy, but is best known for La Sonnambula and Norma. He influenced several later operatic composers, including Wagner. Printed circular letter in Italian, signed “V. Bellini,” one page, 8.25 x 10, 1831. The text reads, in full (translated): “If with my musical compositions I have ever earned any degree of esteem from you, I dare to make a request of you. It has become known to me that a theatrical correspondent has had my opera LA SONNAMBULA [The Sleepwalker] orchestrated by some self-proclaimed composers, passing it off as a copy of the opera that I composed for Teatro Carcano in Milan last Carnival. This forgery could only have been carried out on the basis of the arrangement of my mentioned opera printed for SOLO PIANOFORTE by Ricordi, a music publisher in Milan, since the same publisher has as of yet refrained from publishing the arrangements for voice of the overture, the first finale, the quartet from Act 2, and the choruses, from which it can be inferred what sort of work this must be.
As such unworthy counterfeits severely prejudice my honor, since music lovers would have reason to judge my compositions quite negatively on their basis, and as my untiring efforts have no other intention than to conserve and increase that fame that the public’s kindness has wished to bestow on my musical works, so I warmly beg you not to seek to acquire such forged scores and indeed to reject the offer with the disdain that those who practice such a vile trade deserve. In addition to thereby doing me a favor, for which I will always bear you the liveliest gratitude, you will also protect your own interests, because if these counterfeits are used, on grounds of apparent economy, instead of the true copies, an opera that elsewhere received the public’s applause would perhaps find scant success. The true copies that conform to my original in the possession of the mentioned publisher Ricordi will be signed either with my signature or with that of Ricordi himself.
If I receive from you this courtesy and regard for my reputation as a composer, you may be assured that I will keep it in memory always and that on every occasion, I will know how to provide you with the most evident proofs of my gratitude.” In very good to fine condition, with a central vertical fold, scattered light creases and wrinkles, scattered toning, several passages underlined in red pencil, and mounting remnant along bottom edge.
The 19th century music industry was rife with unscrupulous publishers and counterfeit examples of various compositions, an issue confronted here by Bellini. “As such unworthy counterfeits severely prejudice my honor, since music lovers would have reason to judge my compositions quite negatively on their basis,” he proclaims in his own defense via this circular. Among those works that fell victim to such tactics was ‘The Sleepwalker,’ with “some self-proclaimed composers, passing it off as a copy of the opera that I composed.” Besides the unethical implications, such undertakings also had financial implications as publishers such as Ricordi were less willing to spend funds on authentic scores when a plethora of pirated works were readily available throughout Europe. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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