RESPIGHI OTTORINO: (1879-1936) Italian Composer. An excellent T.L.S., `Ottorino Respighi´ ...

RESPIGHI OTTORINO: (1879-1936) Italian Composer. An excellent T.L.S., `Ottorino Respighi´, a bold black underlined signature, one page, 4to, Roma, 5th October 1935, to Giulio Ricordi & C., in Milan, on the printed stationery of the Reale Accademia d´Italia, in Italian. Respighi writes to the musical editors Ricordi, referring to two of his most important operas, and stating in part `Sono veramente lieto che tra me e il Signor Guido Valcarenghi... si sia arrivati ad un completo accordo per la cessione di "LUCREZIA". Siccome io passeró da Milano verso la fine della entrante settimana, Vi prego di voler tenere pronto il contratto perché io lo possa firmare. Vi faró avvertiti del giorno preciso, con un telegramma. Spero anche in quell´occasione di poter conoscere la data definitiva della prima di "LA FIAMMA" a Berlino, che da tempo avete chiesto al Vostro rappresentante di Lipsia´ (Translation: "I am truly happy that between me and Mr. Guido Valcarenghi... we have reached a complete agreement for the sale of "LUCREZIA". Since I will be passing through Milan towards the end of the coming week, I ask you to keep the contract ready for me to sign. I will let you know the exact date, by telegram. I also hope on that occasion to be able to know the definitive date of the premiere of "LA FIAMMA" in Berlin, which you have long since requested from your representative in Leipzig.") With blank integral leaf. With two binder holes to the left edge. VG to EX

Lucrezia (1937) is an opera in one act by Respighi after a William Skakespeare work, The Rape of Lucrece, itself based on Ovid´s Fasti. Respighi died before finishing the work, which was completed by his wife Elsa and by one of his pupils, Ennio Porrino. Lucrezia was premiered in February 1937 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

La Fiamma (1934) "The Flame" is an opera in three acts by Respighi. The plot is based on the story of a Norwegian woman who was accused of witchcraft and burnt at the stake in 1590. However, Respighi changed the setting to 7th century. The opera was premiered to considerable success on 23 January 1934 at the Teatro Reale dell´Opera in Rome in a performance conducted by Respighi himself.