Italian composer best known for the opera Cavalleria Rusticana. ALS in Italian, signed “P. Mascagni,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 6 x 6, March 8, 1894. Letter to novelist Jules Claretie. In part, “I would be truly very happy to be able to work on an opera whose subject were inspired by you, but except for your best known and most appreciated novels, I do not know your literary work and I would be very grateful to you if you would direct me to a short and passionate story that could be turned into the scenario for a lyrical drama. But as for Cigarette, dear Sir, I read your letter with real disappointment: you know quite well that I cannot adopt the music that was already composed to a new topic…I would give authorization now without any difficulty to Mr. Massenet to use the same story line. We’ve seen this done recently with Cavalleria…It goes without saying that without a word from you I will not take the liberty to write and will promise, no matter what, to have my Cigarette performed only after Mr. Massenet’s opera.” In fine condition, with a bisecting horizontal mailing fold. R&R COA.
