METASTASIO, Pietro (1698-1782); [FARINELLI (1705-1782)] - L'eroe cinese..El eroe dela China, opera dramatica para representarse en el real coliseo del Buen-Retiro (1754) [LEGATO CON:] La Nitteti dramma per musica..(1756). Madrid: Lorenzo Mojados, 1754-1756. Two rare librettos that testify to his work as director of the "Coliseo del Buen-Retiro", the royal theater of the Escorial, by Farinelli and his artistic partnership with Pietro Metastasio. Farinelli, aka Carlo Broschi, was perhaps the most famous castrato singer of the eighteenth century and for twenty years he obtained the direction of the Madrid music scene thanks to the high esteem he enjoyed among the royal family. In this capacity he staged and often performed the works of his dear friend and master of Italian melodrama Pietro Metastasio with whom he retired to private life in Bologna a few years before his death. . 4to (222 x 165mm). Woodcut half title decorated with the arms of Ferdinand VI of Spain at the beginning of each work, Italian-Spanish text, woodcut initials and headpieces. Contemporary calf with title on label on gilt spine, marbled endpapers, red cuts (slight defects). Provenance: Francesco Meontanari (contemporary ownership inscription); "MN" (?) contemporary family stamp on title.

Estimate € 300 - 500

Sold € 450