1708 · London
by GASPARINI, Francesco 1668-1727; Giovanni Gasparini, and Carlo Francesco Cesarini 1666-1741
London: J. Walsh ... J. Hare, 1708. Folio. Quarter modern dark brown cloth with light brown boards, title to spine gilt. 1f. (recto attractive engraved passepartout title incorporating illustrations of a lute, violin, viol, open book of music, cherubs, and coat of arms with text "Honi soit qui mal y pense" and "Semper Eadem;" verso blank), 1f. (recto title, verso "A Table of the Songs ..."), 1f. (recto music, verso blank), 2-70 pp. Engraved throughout.
Contains a total of 68 songs, mostly solos but also including some duets; scored for voice/s and basso continuo with transposed flute parts that double vocal line provided after each solo. Named singers include "the Barroness[!]," Mr. Leveridge, Mrs. Lindsey, Signr. Valentino, Signr. Valentini, Signra. Margaritta, and Mrs. Toft,
Binding slightly worn, rubbed, soiled, and bumped. Minor internal browning, foxing, and staining, mostly marginal; pinhole to passepartout title and lower blank margin of second leaf of music; small tears to upper blank margin of final two leaves.
A very good copy overall. First Edition, third issue. Rare. Hunter: Opera and Song Books published in England 1703-1726, 47a, p. 138. Smith: John Walsh I, 272. BUC p. 632 (with 3 title pages to Act I and 1 to Acts II and III, which may indicate that the songs to each act were sold separately at some point). RISM G461 (one copy only in the U.S., at the Library of Congress).
First performed at the Queen's Theatre in London on 26 February 1708. English translation by Peter Anthony Motteux and Charles Dieupart; L'amore eroico fra pastori, Act 1 by Cesarini, Act 2 by G. Lulier, and Act 3 by G. Bononcini; revised by Alessandro Scarlatti as La pastorella, first performed on 5 February 1705; revised by Motteux and V. Urbani as Love's Triumph. (Inventory #: 39968)
Contains a total of 68 songs, mostly solos but also including some duets; scored for voice/s and basso continuo with transposed flute parts that double vocal line provided after each solo. Named singers include "the Barroness[!]," Mr. Leveridge, Mrs. Lindsey, Signr. Valentino, Signr. Valentini, Signra. Margaritta, and Mrs. Toft,
Binding slightly worn, rubbed, soiled, and bumped. Minor internal browning, foxing, and staining, mostly marginal; pinhole to passepartout title and lower blank margin of second leaf of music; small tears to upper blank margin of final two leaves.
A very good copy overall. First Edition, third issue. Rare. Hunter: Opera and Song Books published in England 1703-1726, 47a, p. 138. Smith: John Walsh I, 272. BUC p. 632 (with 3 title pages to Act I and 1 to Acts II and III, which may indicate that the songs to each act were sold separately at some point). RISM G461 (one copy only in the U.S., at the Library of Congress).
First performed at the Queen's Theatre in London on 26 February 1708. English translation by Peter Anthony Motteux and Charles Dieupart; L'amore eroico fra pastori, Act 1 by Cesarini, Act 2 by G. Lulier, and Act 3 by G. Bononcini; revised by Alessandro Scarlatti as La pastorella, first performed on 5 February 1705; revised by Motteux and V. Urbani as Love's Triumph. (Inventory #: 39968)