Giacomo Puccini - Madama Butterfly - G Ricordo & Co.- Italy - Feb.1904 1st Edit.

Giacomo Puccini - Madama Butterfly - G Ricordo & Co. Milano, Italy - Feb. 1904 1st Edition.

(Will be posted from Ireland - EU)

First edition of the original version in two acts - Vocal score of opera Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini

Ricordi's blind-stamp.

Facsimile of Puccini's dedication to Queen Elena dated 5-2-1904

Most copies of this first edition were destroyed after the disastrous premiere, so that not only was it hurriedly withdrawn after the first night but publication of the first edition was stopped and copies immediately withdrawn from sale, thus ensuring its considerable rarity.

This score contains the original version of Madama Butterfly, as performed at La Scala on 17 February 1904, one of the most celebrated débacles in the history of opera. It is in two acts only and contains extensive material not found in any of Puccini's later revisions.

Condition: Wear to the outer covers - some loss to spine - previous owners name and "Madam Butterfly Puccine" in pencil to inner covers - small round blind stamp to first seven pages, lower left corner - centre staples have rust but text block still firm - pages slightly age toned - paper loss in lower margin on page 85 approx. 3" x 1" (see image) - there is some writing in pencil beneath some of the music score from page 214 to 220 (see image) - there are 403 pages plus title pages and Puccini portrait - more images on request.

Dimensions: 11" high x 8 1/4" wide x 1" thick

An extremely scarce opera score which rarely appears on the open market and will be a great addition to any collection of Puccini memorabilia.

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