ROSSI, Luigi Felice 1805-1863

Messa Funebre per Tenori e Bassi con accompagnamento d'Orchestra composta ed ossequiosamente dedicata all' Ill.mo e Rev.mo Monsignor Ambrogio Campodonico Internunzio apostolico presso l' I. Corte del Brasile ... Fr. 20. [Full score].

Milano: Giovanni Ricordi [PN 16649], [1845].

Folio. Dark brown leather-backed marbled boards with titling and decorative devices gilt to spine within gilt-ruled compartments. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 130 pp. Engraved.

From the collection of Italian conductor, vocal coach, and close associate of Puccini and Mascagni, Luigi Ricci (1893-1981), previously from the collection of Italian composer Francesco Maria Albini (1829-1917), with his signature and inventory number "61" to title.

Binding slightly worn, rubbed, and bumped. Occasional light foxing; some minor creasing and soiling to corners.

First Edition. Gaspari II, p. 134. Rare (three copies located outside Italy, none in the U.S. or U.K.).

Luigi Felice Rossi was born in Turin and spent his career there after musical studies in Naples and Bologna. His first and only opera, Gli avventurieri (1835), was panned after a performance at La Scala, leading Rossi to focus solely on sacred and instrumental music. In Turin, Rossi became a dominant force in musical life, reforming orchestras, organizing benefits, and establishing pedagogical techniques for choirs. Additionally, Rossi wrote articles for the Gazzetta musicale di Milano and translated Reicha's composition treatise.

The majority of Rossi's sacred music is unknown to modern audiences, even within Italy. He dedicated his Requiem to Ambrogio Campodonico (1792-1869), who served as Apostolic Internuncio to Brazil from 1841 to 1845. The full score was published by Ricordi after the version for two tenors, bass, and organ (Magrini, ca. 1843).

Ricci was an important figure in the transmission of 19th century traditions passed on to him by noted baritone Antonio Cotogni (1831-1918), whom he accompanied from the age of 12. He was active as a vocal coach at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, where he taught (amongst many others) Sesto Bruscantini, Anna Moffo, Rosalind Elias, Ezio Flagello, Peter Lindroos, and Martti Wallén.

Item #31466

Price: $285.00  other currencies