ROSSINI GIOACHINO: (1792-1868) Italian composer of operas. A.L.S., Gioachino Rossini, one page, 4to, Bologna, 2nd August 1847, to his friend and lawyer Filippo Santocanale, in Italian. Rossini writes, in part, 'The fear of bothering you is what keeps me from writing to you more often. Since I am tormented by the heirs of my late wife, I must now write to you begging you, entreating you, pleading that you sell the estate in question. In your last letter you suggested that I buy out the heirs. It would be a great solution if I had the money to do so, and thirty years less on my shoulders. I currently spend all the income coming from this estate, and I cannot afford such a purchase. On the other hand, I am too old to wait for a more propitious time to sell with profit. Even if I have to lose one third of the value, it is necessary to sell now and make the sacrifice. Moreover, the heirs of my late wife are requesting only 8000 ducats, and since they are in great need, the sooner a deal is made, the better. In view of the above, please send me a statement showing income and expenses for the year 1846. I hope you can do this so that I can inform the claimants here in Bologna and eventually pay them…..I tremble at the idea of taking time away from your many affairs and commitments, and from your family; but dear God, what else can I do?? May Pope Pius IX bless you and inspire you to a happy completion of my request' and in a lengthy postscript to the left margin further adds 'I forgot to tell you that a certain Chiponti, who is the husband of the singer, Liparini, whom you must have heard some years ago in Palermo, came here to Bologna two years ago to carry out a sale on behalf of his wife. Through the agency of a certain Petrella Avalsevo, Chiponti was put in touch with Francesco Paolo Orlando, a solicitor in Palermo. Everyone was pleased with the way Mr. Orlando completed the deal. Upon his return to Bologna, Chiponti apprised me of the various business cases he is handling and suggested that I use Orlando's services. However, I answered that you are in charge of my affairs and would not consider anyone else. I am writing all this for your information, and if you think that this solicitor is an honest man, contact him and see what he has to offer'. With address panel in Rossini's hand to the verso. Laid down to card with an aperture to the centre to view the address panel. A few small tears and minor areas of paper loss to the edges, G Isabella Colbran (1785-1845) Spanish soprano and composer, the muse and first wife of Rossini.