A large working musical manuscript autograph leaf in the hand of Giacomo Puccini, from La Fanciulla del West in, circa 1910. The musical manuscript is on a signed leaf of paper from a sketchbook, and framed with a portrait of Puccini.

A letter from Bauman Rare Books mounted to verso explains that, On his first visit to the United States, in 1905, Puccini saw a performance of David Belasco's Western play The Girl of the Golden West and was fascinated by its moving scenery and artificial snowstorm. For his next opera, he wanted to depict a rawer, rougher side of life than he had in his earlier melodramas, leaving behind their 'frail heroines and fragile little things.' He had had enough, he told Ricordi, his publisher, 'of Boheme, Butterfly & Co. Even I am sick of them.' Belasco's play about gold miners in what Puccini called the Montagne delle Nubi ('Cloudy Mountains') of California furnished the perfect setting for an 'American' opera. 'For this drama,' he said, 'I have composed music that, I feel sure, reflects the American people, and particularly the strong, vigorous nature of the West' (Carner, 178, 383)."

Overall: 16 x 19.75 inches Sheet Music Sight: 11 x 8.5 inches

Books & Manuscripts