La Vestale

  • Paris: Maurice Schlesinger [PN 3289], 1860
By MERCADANTE, Saverio 1795-1870
Paris: Maurice Schlesinger [PN 3289], 1860. Folio. Original publisher's yellow printed wrappers. 1f. (title), [1] (contents with incipits), 2-183, [1] (blank) pp. Engraved. Text in Italian.

Handstamp "G. Brandus & S. Dufour" to foot of title, indicating Schlesinger's later owner.

From the collection of Italian conductor, vocal coach, and close associate of Puccini and Mascagni, Luigi Ricci (1893-1981).

Wrappers worn and detached. Nearly disbound. Many corners creased; signature containing pp. 133-156 on thinner, browned paper; scattered light foxing. First French edition, later issue. Scarce (2 copies only located in the US, at Newberry and UCLA).

La Vestale, a tragedia lirica in 3 acts with libretto by Salvatore Cammarano, was premiered in Naples at the Teatro San Carlo, 10 March 1840.

"... one of Mercadante’s most consistently interesting works, and has been regarded by some as his masterpiece." Michael Rose in Grove Dictionary of Opera.

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