Gioachino ROSSINI congratulates CHERUBINI on his latest musical work.

Gioachino Rossini (1792.1868)

Autographed letter signed, in Italian, to the composer Luigi Cherubini.

One page on a folio bifolium.

Autograph address on the 4th ^page . No place or date.

“I will begin (…) by congratulating you on the success of your latest and magnificent work.”

A very beautiful letter from the Italian composer to his colleague and compatriot Cherubini, congratulating him with admiration and deference on his latest work.

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“My dearest Mr. Cherubini, I will begin (albeit belatedly) by congratulating you on the success of your latest and magnificent work. I went to the first one to listen to it and compliment the author, but the modesty of the “master of those who know” [Allusion to the verses of Dante’s Inferno referring to Aristotle (4:130-131)] prevented me from finding you.

I therefore ask you to accept my compliments which, if they are not able to flatter you, have the merit of a sincerity so rare in our time.

Madame Portè will have the honor of delivering this letter to you. She wishes me to recommend her, as a young woman, to your niece, for whom I have already sent you recommendations. I do so with pleasure, as it is both a matter of doing good and, moreover, I intend to offer you the opportunity to perform a good deed, given your custom in doing so.

Hoping to gain your favor, I have the honor to be, Affectionately yours, G. Rossini. P.S.: Please convey my regards to your lady.

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Original version in Italian: Pregiatissimo Signor Cherubini, Principerò (quantunque tardi) per felicitarla per il successo ottenuto coll'ultima di lei bell'opera. Come to feel and compliment the author and first recite my modesty of the maestro of color that I do not like to say, the prego addunque di accogliere i miei complimenti che se non possono abbastanza lusingarla hanno il merito della sincerità si rara ai nostri tempi. The signora Portè avrà l'onore di presentarle la presente, essa will sidera ch'io the reccomendi onde giovane alla nipote che a VS reccomendai altre volte, lo faccio con piacere poiché da lato si tratta di far del bene e dall'altro intendo offerede alla SV l'occasione di fare una buona azione lo chè è è famigliare della VS Nella lusinga di essere favorito mi l'onore di protestarmi di lei, Affetuosamente Suo G. Rossini. PS: the prego to present my bone which goes to her Signora