PUCCINI, Giacomo (1858-1924)
Autograph document signed « Giacomo Puccini »
Paris, 9th June 1910, 1 p. in-folio (32 x 20 cm)
Spectacular large-format inscription for his opera The Girl of the golden West
Fact sheet
PUCCINI, Giacomo (1858-1924)
Autograph document signed « Giacomo Puccini »
Paris, 9th June 1910, 1 p. in-folio (32 x 20 cm) on an album amicorum page
Spectacular large-format inscription for his opera The Girl of the golden West
Puccini wrote three bars and then titled in Italian and English:
« La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the golden West) »
His imposing signature projected an ink smudge on the letter “P”
An opera in three acts composed to a libretto by Carlo Zangarini and Guelfo Civinini, based on the drama by the American author David Belasco, The Girl of the golden West was first commissioned on 10 December 1910 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Tenor Enrico Caruso and soprano Emmy Destinn, world stars for whom Puccini originally wrote the opera, take on the roles of Dick Johnson and Minnie. Very enthusiastic, it was on the occasion of this first performance that the composer declared The Girl of the golden West as the greatest composition of his career.