Una cosa rara ò sia Bellezza ed onestà. Farsetta per musica - Martín y Soler, Vicente 1754-1806; Da Ponte, Lorenzo 1749-1838 (s.l., 1786)
'Una cosa rara' was one of the most popular operas during the reign of Joseph II. The libretto is based on Luis Vélez de Guevara's 'La Luna de la Sierra' (1614). Cited musically by Mozart in the banquet scene of 'Don Giovanni', it was performed all over Europe, gave way to at least forty manuscript copies, and catalyzed Lorenzo Da Ponte's career as librettist.
The border of the title page of each volume has a hand-colored etching
Digitized by iGuana, Spring 2022
Dramma giocoso in two acts, premiered at the Burgtheater, Vienna, on 17 November 1786
Ex libris Alessandro Kraus Figlio, Via dei Cerretani N. 10, Firenze (stamp; compare with 01A06 and 09L24). Alessandro Kraus jr. (1853-1931) was a musicologist, pianist and collector of exotic—particularly Japanese—instruments (which helped inspire Pietro Mascagni's 'Iris').
Keywords: Kraus, Alessandro -- 1853-1931; Altes Burgtheater (Vienna, Austria); 18th Century (1701-1800); Opera; Vienna (Austria)