Item #010211 MY MUSICAL LIFE. Enrico Caruso, H. R. HAWIES, Tito Ricordi.
MY MUSICAL LIFE

MY MUSICAL LIFE

London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1902. Caruso, Enrico (original self-portrait). Sixth Impression. Publishers Cloth. 8vo, publisher's blue cloth, gilt stamped decoration front and spine, 673p. + 40p. pub list. (Unrelated 1965 gift inscription verso ffe). Ownership copy of Tito Ricordi II, with his ownership signature upper left corner front fly dated by him 14.01.05 (January 14, 1905) with an original self-profile in ink by Caruso signed and dated by him 1908. Caruso ((1873-1921), the famous Italian-born tenor, was also a renowned caricaturist who made sketches of many famous people, but often of himself as mementoes to famous personalities or figures in the opera world. This self-portrait was apparently sketched for Tito Ricordi (1865-1933) heir to the historic music publishing company Casa Ricordi founded in 1808 by Tito's grandfather violinist Giovanni Ricordi. The Ricordi company repertoire represented one of the world's most important sources of opera and classical music; early in its history, the company purchased the music library of LaScala and published the works of Rossini, Bellini, Verdi and Puccini. The Ricordis were not only publishers but also impressarios of careers and fortunes in the opera world. This self-portrait presented by Caruso to the Ricordi heir represents an association between the major opera performer of the time and the major arbiter of opera culture and commerce of the period. $1,750. Very Good. Item #010211

Price: $750.00