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22.

Bergamo, 23 August 1832

Vincenzo Bellini to Giacomo Barbò. Letter.

Aut.  I-Gim, A.I.M., Cart. 58, n. 15187 (I-Rsc, Manoscritti 571). One bifolio, three sides plus address on the verso.

Ed.  Florimo 1882, pp. 399-400; Cambi 1943, pp. 318-319; Neri 2005, pp. 226-227.

Bergamo 23 August

My dear Barbò

   Norma has astounded all of Bergamo, and I myself found it to be quite another opera. - Everything became more vibrant and engaging once the singers mastered their parts. Pasta often brought me to tears, and Reina sang with such fire (despite not having Donzelli's voice) that I can't wait for you to hear the stretta of the cavatina when you come, which everyone thinks I had entirely rewritten. I can say the same for Taccani's "Sola furtiva al tempio", which she delivered just as it should be done, and for which she received countless rounds of applause. The terzetto could not have been performed better — so well in fact that it sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it. I'll say nothing about the rest of the opera because I hope you'll come to hear everything; only that the applause was lavish, spontaneous, and all-inclusive, as witnessed by how often the singers and composer were called to take a bow, etc. etc., the usual things. -

   Come soon then, before I leave Bergamo for Milan, which will be early next week.

   Farewell, remember me to everyone in your house as well as the amiable Cravanna and his wife. Please accept a warm embrace, and believe me

                                                Your

                                                Bellini

The chorus was excellent and much applauded, the orchestra so-so.

à Monsieur

Monsieur le Comte Jaque Barbò

Rûe del Monte Maison Melzi

à Milan