CILEA, Francesco 1866-1950

Autograph letter signed "F Cilea" to composer [Ezio] Camussi dated Rapallo, July 19, 1913

In black ink on notecard. 90 x 137 mm. In Italian (with translation).

Cilea briefly but warmly thanks Camussi, and offers his best wishes.

"I send back congratulations, best wishes, and greetings."

Slightly worn and foxed.

A member of the so-called "giovane scuola" of Italian composers, Francesco Cilea (1866-1950) is best remembered for his opera Adriana Lecouvreur. "Besides Bellini, his chief gods were Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. An accomplished pianist, his keyboard writing is always inventive, and several of his pieces composed between the wars show an attempt to come to grips with the styles of Ravel and Casella. If his operas conform to the manner of Mascagni and his school, they never descend to brutal excess. Thematic recurrence plays an important part in them, even though the motifs themselves are rarely very theatrical." Julian Budden in Grove Music Online.

The recipient, Ezio Camussi (1877-1956), was a Florentine pianist and composer. He studied with Jules Massenet, who heavily influenced his style. He is best known for his opera Le Dubarry.

Item #23409

Price: $350.00  other currencies