This selection of recently-digitized scores samples the library’s large collection of works by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848), with operas spanning the late 1830s and 1840s, primarily composed for the Paris stage.

The exceptions are the Neapolitan operas L’assedio di Calais, premiered at San Carlo in 1836, and Poliuto/I Martiri, banned in Naples in 1838, and not premiered at San Carlo for another decade. The 4-act Parisian second version, Les Martyrs, is represented here by an Italian edition of the vocal score.

Also on the list, you’ll find Donizetti’s first opera composed specifically for Paris, Marino Falliero; the Italian opera buffa version of La Fille du Regiment, produced at La Scala with recitative rather than spoken dialogue; Rita (1841), posthumously produced in 1860; the first edition vocal score of La Favorite, arranged by Richard Wagner; the 1843 smash hit Don Pasquale; and Donizetti’s final opera, Dom Sébastien.

Frontispiece depicting Mme Stoltz (Léonor) and Mr. Duprez (Fernand) in the 4th act of La Favorite. Mus 647.1.671.7 B

Frontispiece depicting Mme Stoltz (Léonor) and Mr. Duprez (Fernand) in the 4th act of La Favorite. Mus 647.1.671.7 B

  • [Marino Faliero. Vocal score]
    Marino Falliero [sic] : tragedia lirica / del sigr. Bidèra ; posta in musica pel Teatro Reale Italiano in Parigi dal Maestro Cavaliere Gaetano Donizetti. Milano : G. Ricordi, [1836?].
    Mus 647.1.650 B
    Differs significantly from the Pacini ed.: includes Faliero’s cabaletta “Trema, o Steno,” and changes in Elena’s aria “Tutto or morte.”
  • [Assedio di Calais. Vocal Score]
    L’assedio di Calais : melodramma lirico in tre atti / poesia di Salvatore Cammarano ; musica del Mo. G. Donizetti ; riduzione del mo. L. Gervasi. Milano : G. Ricordi, [1854?].
    Merritt Room Mus 647.1.597
  • [Poliuto. Vocal Score]
    I martiri : tragedia lirica in 3 atti / poesia di S. Cammarano ; musica di Gaetano Donizetti. Paris : Schonenberger, [1840?].
    Mus 647.1.698 B.
    French synopsis from the Théâtre-Italien laid in.
  • [Poliuto. Vocal score]
    I martiri : opéra italien / musique de Donizetti. Paris : Schonenberger, [1845?].
    Mus 647.1.698.8
  • [Martyrs. Vocal score. Italian].
    Paolina e Poliuto : (I martiri) : opera in quattro atti / nuova versione dal francese di C. Bassi per scrivire alle scene Italiane ; musica del Maestro Cave. G. Donizetti ; riduz. per canto con accompo. di pianoforte des Mo. P. Tonassi. Milano : G. Ricordi, [1843?].
    Merritt Mus 647.1.697.5
  • [Fille du régiment. Vocal score. Italian]
    La figlia del reggimento : opéra italien / musique de Donizetti. Paris : Schonenberger, [between 1840 and 1899].
    Merritt Room Mus 647.1.665
    Italian version, with recitative
  • [Favorite. Vocal score.]
    La favorite : opera en quatre actes / paroles de MM. E. Scribe, Alph. Royer & Gust. Vaëz ; musique de G. Donizetti ; partition avec acct. de piano, arrangée par R. Wagner. [1st ed., 1st issue.] Paris : M. Schlesinger, [1841?].
    Mus 647.1.671.7 B
  • [Favorite. Vocal score. Italian].
    La favorita / musica del cave. Donizetti ; ridotta per piano forte solo dal mo. Luigi Truzzi. Milano : F. Lucca [1841].
    Merritt Mus 647.1.672.1
  • [Rita. Vocal score]
    Rita, ou, Le mari battu : opéra comique en un acte / poëme de Mr. Gustave Vaëz ; musique posthume de G. Donizetti; partition chant et piano arrangée par A. Bazille. Paris : H. Lemoine, [1860?].
    Mus 647.1.676.5
  • [Don Pasquale. Vocal score]
    Don Pasquale : opéra bouffe en trois actes / musique de G. Donizetti ; avec accompagt. de piano par Th. Labarre. Paris : Bureau de la France Musicale, [1843?].
    Mus 647.1.674.1
  • [Dom Sébastien, roi de Portugal. Vocal score]
    Dom Sébastien de Portugal : opéra en 5 actes / Paroles de Mr. E. Scribe ; musique de G. Donizetti ; avec acct. de piano par Th. Labarre. Paris : Bureau Central de Musique, [1843?].
    Mus 647.1.637.5

Enjoy!

-Kerry Masteller