Boito, Arrigo. (1842-1918). "Nerone," Deluxe Limited Issue, bound in Vellum. Milan: G. Ricordi. 1924. First edition. Tragedia in Quattro Atti. Riduzione per Canto e Pianoforte di Ferruccio Calusio. 415 pp. [PN] 119599. Deluxe limited edition, XXII of only 120 copies printed on fine handmade paper and sumptously bound in decorated vellum. The artist Giulio Cisari, who designed the plates and head-illustrations within the score, has hand-illuminated the binding. An amusing version of the composer's signature (dated 1917) appears on the title page, but given that the score wasn't finished or published until after Boito's death, this is either an exceptional posthumous autograph rarity or a very funny bungled forgery! The signature, as such, is faded and the score is in otherwise superb condition. This is the only copy of this limited edition we have located.
Boito, an Italian librettist, composer, poet and critic, is best remembered for his one completed opera, "Mefistofele," and for his collaboration with Verdi as librettist on such operas as Otello and Falstaff, as well as for his libretto for Ponchielli's "La Gioconda." "Nerone," an opera in four acts composed and with a libretto by Boito, consists of scenes from Imperial Rome at the time of Emperor Nero depicting tensions between the Imperial religion and Christianity, and ends with the Great Fire of Rome. Boito died in 1918 before finishing the work and it was premiered posthumously at La Scala on May 1, 1924, conducted by Arturo Toscanini in a version of the score completed by Toscanini, Vincenzo Tommasini, and Antonio Smareglia.
The opera was very well received at its premiere, and the newly rebuilt Rome Opera House inaugurated its first season with Nerone in 1928. However, it has only been rarely performed since that time, even in Italy. It did not receive its US premiere until April 12, 1982, when it was performed in a concert version by the Opera Orchestra of New York in Carnegie Hall.
Boito, an Italian librettist, composer, poet and critic, is best remembered for his one completed opera, "Mefistofele," and for his collaboration with Verdi as librettist on such operas as Otello and Falstaff, as well as for his libretto for Ponchielli's "La Gioconda." "Nerone," an opera in four acts composed and with a libretto by Boito, consists of scenes from Imperial Rome at the time of Emperor Nero depicting tensions between the Imperial religion and Christianity, and ends with the Great Fire of Rome. Boito died in 1918 before finishing the work and it was premiered posthumously at La Scala on May 1, 1924, conducted by Arturo Toscanini in a version of the score completed by Toscanini, Vincenzo Tommasini, and Antonio Smareglia.
The opera was very well received at its premiere, and the newly rebuilt Rome Opera House inaugurated its first season with Nerone in 1928. However, it has only been rarely performed since that time, even in Italy. It did not receive its US premiere until April 12, 1982, when it was performed in a concert version by the Opera Orchestra of New York in Carnegie Hall.
Boito, Arrigo. (1842-1918). "Nerone," Deluxe Limited Issue, bound in Vellum. Milan: G. Ricordi. 1924. First edition. Tragedia in Quattro Atti. Riduzione per Canto e Pianoforte di Ferruccio Calusio. 415 pp. [PN] 119599. Deluxe limited edition, XXII of only 120 copies printed on fine handmade paper and sumptously bound in decorated vellum. The artist Giulio Cisari, who designed the plates and head-illustrations within the score, has hand-illuminated the binding. An amusing version of the composer's signature (dated 1917) appears on the title page, but given that the score wasn't finished or published until after Boito's death, this is either an exceptional posthumous autograph rarity or a very funny bungled forgery! The signature, as such, is faded and the score is in otherwise superb condition. This is the only copy of this limited edition we have located.
Boito, an Italian librettist, composer, poet and critic, is best remembered for his one completed opera, "Mefistofele," and for his collaboration with Verdi as librettist on such operas as Otello and Falstaff, as well as for his libretto for Ponchielli's "La Gioconda." "Nerone," an opera in four acts composed and with a libretto by Boito, consists of scenes from Imperial Rome at the time of Emperor Nero depicting tensions between the Imperial religion and Christianity, and ends with the Great Fire of Rome. Boito died in 1918 before finishing the work and it was premiered posthumously at La Scala on May 1, 1924, conducted by Arturo Toscanini in a version of the score completed by Toscanini, Vincenzo Tommasini, and Antonio Smareglia.
The opera was very well received at its premiere, and the newly rebuilt Rome Opera House inaugurated its first season with Nerone in 1928. However, it has only been rarely performed since that time, even in Italy. It did not receive its US premiere until April 12, 1982, when it was performed in a concert version by the Opera Orchestra of New York in Carnegie Hall.
Boito, an Italian librettist, composer, poet and critic, is best remembered for his one completed opera, "Mefistofele," and for his collaboration with Verdi as librettist on such operas as Otello and Falstaff, as well as for his libretto for Ponchielli's "La Gioconda." "Nerone," an opera in four acts composed and with a libretto by Boito, consists of scenes from Imperial Rome at the time of Emperor Nero depicting tensions between the Imperial religion and Christianity, and ends with the Great Fire of Rome. Boito died in 1918 before finishing the work and it was premiered posthumously at La Scala on May 1, 1924, conducted by Arturo Toscanini in a version of the score completed by Toscanini, Vincenzo Tommasini, and Antonio Smareglia.
The opera was very well received at its premiere, and the newly rebuilt Rome Opera House inaugurated its first season with Nerone in 1928. However, it has only been rarely performed since that time, even in Italy. It did not receive its US premiere until April 12, 1982, when it was performed in a concert version by the Opera Orchestra of New York in Carnegie Hall.