Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924). Large Photograph inscribed to Dante del Papa. Original photograph by Boissonnas & Taponier of Paris, boldly signed and inscribed by the composer in Italian in ink on the lower photographer's mount to the important tenor, Dante Del Papa: "All' amico Dante del Papa / Ricordo di Puccini / New York 21. II. 07." The image measuring 6 x 8 inches (15.5 x 21.5 cm), the full mount 9 x 12 inches (23 x 31cm). Stamped on the verso by the photographer, some surface creasing in one area in the image and in the lower area of the mount, small tear to lower edge, the mount evidently trimmed down to its present size, otherwise fine.
By 1907, Dante Del Papa (1854 - 1924) had mostly retired from the stage and was operating a popular singing school in NY. At the time Puccini signed the present photograph to him, the composer was visiting New York for the Metropolitan Opera premieres of his Manon Lescaut and Madama Butterfly. Fortuitously, it was also during this visit that his search for a new opera subject was resolved when he saw another David Belasco success, “The Girl of the Golden West."
By 1907, Dante Del Papa (1854 - 1924) had mostly retired from the stage and was operating a popular singing school in NY. At the time Puccini signed the present photograph to him, the composer was visiting New York for the Metropolitan Opera premieres of his Manon Lescaut and Madama Butterfly. Fortuitously, it was also during this visit that his search for a new opera subject was resolved when he saw another David Belasco success, “The Girl of the Golden West."
Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924). Large Photograph inscribed to Dante del Papa. Original photograph by Boissonnas & Taponier of Paris, boldly signed and inscribed by the composer in Italian in ink on the lower photographer's mount to the important tenor, Dante Del Papa: "All' amico Dante del Papa / Ricordo di Puccini / New York 21. II. 07." The image measuring 6 x 8 inches (15.5 x 21.5 cm), the full mount 9 x 12 inches (23 x 31cm). Stamped on the verso by the photographer, some surface creasing in one area in the image and in the lower area of the mount, small tear to lower edge, the mount evidently trimmed down to its present size, otherwise fine.
By 1907, Dante Del Papa (1854 - 1924) had mostly retired from the stage and was operating a popular singing school in NY. At the time Puccini signed the present photograph to him, the composer was visiting New York for the Metropolitan Opera premieres of his Manon Lescaut and Madama Butterfly. Fortuitously, it was also during this visit that his search for a new opera subject was resolved when he saw another David Belasco success, “The Girl of the Golden West."
By 1907, Dante Del Papa (1854 - 1924) had mostly retired from the stage and was operating a popular singing school in NY. At the time Puccini signed the present photograph to him, the composer was visiting New York for the Metropolitan Opera premieres of his Manon Lescaut and Madama Butterfly. Fortuitously, it was also during this visit that his search for a new opera subject was resolved when he saw another David Belasco success, “The Girl of the Golden West."