VERDI Giuseppe (1813-1901)

L.A.S. "G. Verdi", Genoa, April 1, 1883, to Ferdinand HILLER; 3 pages in-8 (the 1st partly yellowed); in Italian. Friendly letter to the German musician and pianist, denying the rumors about his Otello. He assumes that it was Hiller who sent him the program of the festival of May 13, 14 and 15, and he thanks him warmly for it. He is sure that the musical event he is directing will be splendid. He would be delighted to be able to go there, but he is far away, the years are weighing on him and making the trip difficult; besides, he doesn't have much time. He will think of him during the festival, which will bring back happy memories of joyful hours in his company. He would be grateful if he could report to him on the results, which are surely excellent... He mentions the winter and the rainy spring, but has nothing to say about himself. If Hiller has heard rumors that he is working on something, or that he has finished an Iago, an Otello, etc., don't believe them. He has done nothing, absolutely nothing ("Di me non so dirè nulla. Caso mai aveste sentito dire che io st. facendo qualche cosa, o che io abbia terminato un Iago, un Otello et ca, non credete niente. Io non ha fatto nulla, assolutamente nulla.")...