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Venice, 19 January 1830

Vincenzo Bellini to Vincenzo Ferlito. Letter.

Aut.  I-Fn, Carteggi Vari 444. 41. One bifolio, three sides plus address on the verso.

Ed. Cambi 1973, p. 66; Neri 2005, pp. 157-158.

Venice, 19 [January] 1830

My dear uncle,

I'm happy to report that Il pirata was a sensational success these past Saturday and Sunday evenings, and even though I was not at the keyboard I was called out to take a bow no less than ten times during each of the two performances. The prima donna performed her extremely difficult part so well that she proved to be the mainstay of the opera; the tenor is a bit weak but was nonetheless applauded; the bass is a potato. The chorus was fine, the orchestra mediocre.

   All of Venice loves me, and nothing but accolades await me in all of the homes I visit. I still don't know if I'm to write an opera for this Carnival season in place of Pacini: negotiations have been postponed until tomorrow, and if the administration does not deliberate I'm hoping to escape the danger of falling ill and perhaps avoid a fiasco as well.

   I've heard from Milan that La straniera opened on the 13th of this month to as warm a reception as last year, and that Lalande and Tamburini were outstanding, but that Rubini's interpretation is as cold as can be and everyone prefers Reina. Some maintain that the transposed part is not as effective as it was before — and while I'm inclined to agree, it shouldn't have been so bad that a mediocre tenor would have been preferable to Rubini, but rather that Rubini's inability to animate a part like that one, which is full of fire and spirit, left it all feeling rather listless. In any case, it's enough for me that the overall impression was good and none of the rest matters, since I did everything possible to accommodate the part properly for him. The mail service here has been completely blocked by the tremendous snowfall we've had and the unnavigable lagoon, which has frozen over. - Remember to write to me and let me know if you've received my profile. I look forward to news of your health and that of my entire family, which I hold dear. A warm embrace with many kind greetings to all of my relatives and friends, and my fond respects to my father and mother along with an embrace for all of my brothers and sisters.

                                                Your most affectionate nephew,

                                                        Vincenzo

Deux Siciles

à Monsieur

Monsieur Vincent Ferliti

Naples

pour Catane

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