The letters of Casa Ricordi are an invaluable resource not only for the history of music and especially of opera, but also for our understanding of the complicated rapport between the worlds of art and commerce. Indeed, the company’s ability to strike and safeguard a delicate balance between artistic and business concerns was one of the principal reasons for its success. Throughout its history there has been ample evidence of the tremendous time and energy Casa Ricordi dedicated to relationships with those creative artists whose original work was essential to the publisher’s economic viability and independence; but also with others who shared and helped disseminate the fruits of their labor, including theatres, performers, and music periodicals, not to mention the vast market of consumers both public and private. The autograph letters presented here range from the beginning of its activity until 1948, when Tito II’s resignation marked the end of the family’s stewardship.
Letter | Description | Signature | Date |
---|---|---|---|
|
Alfredo Colombo
,
Luigi Bai
>
Salvatore Barone
Milano |
LLET021676 | No date |
|
Luigi Bai
,
Eugenio Clausetti
>
Carlo Gatti
No place |
LLET024464 | No date |
|
Luigi Bai
,
Eugenio Clausetti
>
Alessandro Tamburini
No place |
LLET028794 | No date |
|
Luigi Bai
>
Valdo Medicus
Milano |
LLET025918 | No date |
|
Luigi Bai
>
Alamiro Giampieri
Milano |
LLET024716 | No date |
|
Luigi Bai
>
Gian Francesco Malipiero
Milano |
LLET016893 | No date |
|
Luigi Bai
>
Gianluigi Centemeri
Milano |
LLET022561 | No date |
|
Luigi Bai
,
Alfredo Colombo
>
Alberto Hemsi
Milano |
LLET025362 | No date |
|
Eugenio Clausetti
,
Luigi Bai
>
Michael V. Kitchin
No place |
LLET025432 | No date |
|
Eugenio Clausetti
,
Luigi Bai
>
Gian Francesco Malipiero
Milano |
LLET016894 | No date |