Boito, Arrigo. (1842-1918)
Signed Manuscript Aria Text
3 integral pages. 4 stanzas, signed "Arrigo Boito" at the conclusion and identified "Ero e Leandro / Atto I. scena 4a. " On the facing page, Boito has dedicated the aria to "la gentile Signorina Elena Barbaroux," and has initialled and dated "Milano 31. Marzo. 87." Usual folds, mounting traces to verso, else fine.Autograph manuscript of the aria text "Conchiglia rosea del patrio lido," from the celebrated librettist's "Ero e Leandro." Boito, who composed only one finished opera (Mefistofele) himself, completed but later destroyed his "Ero e Leandro." The work was instead set to music by Giovanni Bottesini (Turin, 1880) and later, by Luigi Mancinelli (Madrid, 1897). Boito is remembered chiefly for his libretti for Ponchielli (La Gioconda) and Verdi (Otello and Falstaff), and for his own Mefistofele. (4020)
Manuscript Music Opera