Description
Otello, dramma lirico in quattro atti [vocal score], Milan, Tito di Gio. Ricordi, [1887]. First edition, 364 pages, 4to (27.5 x 20cms), without the reference to the premiere on the title page, identified in red ink on verso of title: "stampato in luogo di manoscritto", Ricordi's blind stamp for January 1887, publisher's gilt-lettered maroon cloth wrappers, gilt device on lower cover, overall light browning, some discoloration to front cover; [Ibid.] Falstaff. Commedia lirica in tre atti, [vocal score], Milan, G. Ricordi & C., [1893]. First edition, first issue, 474 pages, 4to (275 x 205mm.), lithographed music, publisher's green boards printed in black, with device on lower cover, spine defective, joints splitting; [Ibid.]
Falstaff. Commedia lirica in tre atti di Arrigo Boito, [libretto]. First edition, 133 pages, 8vo, Ricordi's blind-stamp, for January 1893, printed green wrappers with a design complementing that on the vocal score (3)
Footnote
Note: Otello: Not in Hopkinson. His 63A includes the place and date of the first performance on 5 February 1887. This issue seems to predate the performance. Chusid, page 69; not correctly described in Hopkinson (but compare his 64A and 64 A (a)). Rare: Verdi asked Ricordi to withdraw the original vocal score from sale so that he could cut three passages (see Gatti, Verdi, ii, 450). Chusid points out that this first issue preceded the premiere on 9 February 1893, which is therefore not recorded on the title page. A second issue was quickly published with only 461 pages.