![Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924) "La Fanciulla del West" - Autograph Musical Manuscript Page [EX-Tony Bennett]](http://www.schubertiademusic.com/cdn/shop/files/Puccini_2C_Giacomo_La_Fanciulla_del_West_AMQ_23528.jpg?v=1722190792)
Large working musical manuscript autograph leaf in the hand of the composer, from La Fanciulla del West, circa 1910. On paper from a sketchbook, penned across nine staves and comprising ten measures of music and the word "Gioco." Framed with a portrait of Puccini, overall: 16 x 19.75 inches. Sheet Music Sight: 11 x 8.5 inches. Two tiny burn holes, one marginal, else very fine. Provenance: from the Collection of Tony Bennett.
The manuscript was previously identified as having been from a discarded section of Act I. It may, however, instead relate to material found towards the end of Act 2. The word "Gioco" which appears here is not found in the opera's sung or spoken text, but rather in the directions of action in the libretto for the celebrated Partita di Poker scene, where the heroine, Minnie, plays cards with the lustful sheriff Rance for the life of her wounded lover (Dick Johnson, of course, a tenor).
On his first visit to the United States, in 1905, Puccini saw a performance of David Belasco's Western play The Girl of the Golden West and was fascinated by its moving scenery and artificial snowstorm. For his next opera, he wanted to depict a rawer, rougher side of life than he had in his earlier melodramas, leaving behind their 'frail heroines and fragile little things.' He had had enough, he told Ricordi, his publisher, 'of Boheme, Butterfly & Co. Even I am sick of them.' Belasco's play about gold miners in what Puccini called the Montagne delle Nubi ('Cloudy Mountains') of California furnished the perfect setting for an 'American' opera. 'For this drama,' he said, 'I have composed music that, I feel sure, reflects the American people, and particularly the strong, vigorous nature of the West' (Carner, 178, 383)."
"La fanciulla del West" was commissioned by, and first performed at, the Metropolitan Opera in New York on December 10, 1910, conducted by Arturo Toscanini and with Met stars Enrico Caruso and Emmy Destinn, for whom Puccini created the leading roles of Dick Johnson and Minnie. This was the first world premiere of an opera at the Met. The performance was received with enormous enthusiasm, and Puccini himself considered the work to be his greatest composition, but the critical response was more ambivalent, focusing on the lack of veracity in Puccini's portrayal of the American West during the Gold Rush.
Large working musical manuscript autograph leaf in the hand of the composer, from La Fanciulla del West, circa 1910. On paper from a sketchbook, penned across nine staves and comprising ten measures of music and the word "Gioco." Framed with a portrait of Puccini, overall: 16 x 19.75 inches. Sheet Music Sight: 11 x 8.5 inches. Two tiny burn holes, one marginal, else very fine. Provenance: from the Collection of Tony Bennett.
The manuscript was previously identified as having been from a discarded section of Act I. It may, however, instead relate to material found towards the end of Act 2. The word "Gioco" which appears here is not found in the opera's sung or spoken text, but rather in the directions of action in the libretto for the celebrated Partita di Poker scene, where the heroine, Minnie, plays cards with the lustful sheriff Rance for the life of her wounded lover (Dick Johnson, of course, a tenor).
On his first visit to the United States, in 1905, Puccini saw a performance of David Belasco's Western play The Girl of the Golden West and was fascinated by its moving scenery and artificial snowstorm. For his next opera, he wanted to depict a rawer, rougher side of life than he had in his earlier melodramas, leaving behind their 'frail heroines and fragile little things.' He had had enough, he told Ricordi, his publisher, 'of Boheme, Butterfly & Co. Even I am sick of them.' Belasco's play about gold miners in what Puccini called the Montagne delle Nubi ('Cloudy Mountains') of California furnished the perfect setting for an 'American' opera. 'For this drama,' he said, 'I have composed music that, I feel sure, reflects the American people, and particularly the strong, vigorous nature of the West' (Carner, 178, 383)."
"La fanciulla del West" was commissioned by, and first performed at, the Metropolitan Opera in New York on December 10, 1910, conducted by Arturo Toscanini and with Met stars Enrico Caruso and Emmy Destinn, for whom Puccini created the leading roles of Dick Johnson and Minnie. This was the first world premiere of an opera at the Met. The performance was received with enormous enthusiasm, and Puccini himself considered the work to be his greatest composition, but the critical response was more ambivalent, focusing on the lack of veracity in Puccini's portrayal of the American West during the Gold Rush.