ROSSINI, Gioacchino (1792-1868). Composer.
Autograph Letter Signed to Marquise de Las Marismas in Paris, 1½ pages 4to with address-leaf in French, Bologna, 29 May 1842. A letter of condolence to the widow of his patron and close friend, Alexandre-Marie Aguado, Marquis de Las Marismas, Parisian banker and owner of Chateau Margaux, to whom the Stabat Mater had been dedicated.

'My dear good Carmen, knowing that you are putting your trust in God and in your children makes me less unhappy. I don't have to tell you that despite the distance which separates us, I feel for you in your sorrow and in your duty; but when you remind yourself just how much happiness you gave to your husband, you will feel less alone and you will carry on living in the hope of seeing him again one day and giving him an account of the legacy which he left you: the future of his children. Yes, my dear Carmen, we can live, and be happy, through our memories of the man we loved so much: he sees us and hears us. You must banish grief from your heart, and hold on to the hope of saying to him one day 'I accepted the remaining life which God gave to me in order to bring up your children to be worthy of you and to bless your name'. Dear Carmen, who better than I to strengthen your resolve? - in losing him, I have lost more than a brother! Did you and he not count me among that small group of people in life we count as friends? My one regret is that I am unable to be at your side, but my poor health keeps me here, and I must seek proper treatment. Believe me, my dear friend, if I had been in a fit state to undertake the journey I would be with you now. Write often and tell me how you are, and believe me when I say that my one wish is to see you again and to express in person all the tender affection which I feel for you.'

[No: 23279]