GIACOMO PUCCINI - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 06/15/1923 - HFSID 28122

GIACOMO PUCCINI
The Italian opera composer sends a newsy letter to a friend, lamenting that "I drag along with my work."
Autograph Letter Signed: "G. Puccini", 1p, 7½x6¾, on verso of mailer imprinted with his name. Viareggio, Via Buonarroti, 1923 June 15. In Italian, translated. To "Dear Pietraluzza". In full: "Thank you for your kind promptness. I no longer remember the name of the painter in Lucca who asked for my photograph. And thank you for the news regarding Doctor It. We are well and often remember our very nice friend Pietraluzza. Please give my regards to His Excellency. Magrini is in Maremma to purchage hay - Tonio is here and is waiting for the Lambda from Lancia. I drag along with my work. Friendly regards to you from your". Two Italian stamps affixed on verso, which is postmarked twice in Viareggio on June 15th and once in Vienna on June 18th. Addressed by Puccini to: "Franco Pietrabigga, Italian Legation, Vienna, Austria". TONIO was Puccini's son. MAGRINI is probably his friend, Angelo Magrini. GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858-1924), the greatest Italian opera composer of his time, wrote a number of operas, including his three most famous works, La Bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly, while living at Torre Del Lago, the home he had purchased in 1891. Puccini and his family lived at Torre Del Lago until 1921. Now in his early 60s, Puccini started work on Turandot, based on a Gozzi play. During its composition he moved to Viareggio. In 1923, Puccini developed cancer of the throat. Treatment at a Brussels clinic seemed successful, but his heart could not stand the strain and he died there on November 27, 1924, a year after he wrote this letter, leaving Turandot unfinished. Lightly creased with folds, not at signature. Slightly soiled, minor stains at blank left margin of attached flap. ½-inch tear at upper blank margin at vertical fold at flap on letter side. Minor show through from postmark on verso touches one letter of writing. Overall, fine condition.