Composition
The collection Michotte takes approximately six running meters and consists of autographs, printed music, books, libretti, iconographical documents and objects. All these documents are connected to Rossini. The largest part consists of pieces from the Italian composer, supplemented by documents collected by Michotte.
The collection focuses mainly on Italian and French composers from the 19th century.
There are around 300 music manuscripts in the collection, of which about hundred with music by Rossini. Among these there are about 30 autographs.
Among the circa 40 manuscripts of other composers, there are some autographs too. Worth mentioning is the autograph score of the ‘6 Polonaises’, D 824, by Franz Schubert. How this pieces for piano four-handed by Schubert came in the collection of Rossini, is an unanswered question.
The remaining manuscripts, about 150, take a separate place, because they arrived in the collection via Isabella Colbran (1785-1845). She was a well-known prima donna and the first wife of Rossini. Her scores were bound in 1911 with a clear label ‘Répertoire de la Colbran’ in gold print on the back of the books.
The collection contains approximately 420 printed scores, of which 120 with works by Rossini. The other compositions are mostly Italian and French editions from the 19th century. Rather unexpected for an Italian opera composer, is Rossini’s subscription to the collected works edition of Johann Sebastian Bach. This prestigious edition project, existing of 47 volumes, was initiated in 1851 and lasted till 1899. ‘Joachim Rossini’ was the only Italian composer that subscribed on the series. The last volume from his collection has the number 16 and dates from 1818, the year of his death.
Besides music, the collection also contains texts in manuscripts and imprints.
There are approximately 200 manuscripts, of which about 100 autograph letters. The texts are very diverse: there are autograph pieces such as invitations and programs, next to an content table of the ‘Péchés de vieillesse’, some odes to the composer and an impressive list of the visitors at the deathbed of Rossini, and condolences. About 30 letters are written by Rossini, the others are addressed to him.
The collection contains 76 documents with printed text. Their content is also very diverse. Some pieces belonged undoubtedly to the private library of Rossini, like for example ‘La Divina Commedia’ by Dante, edited in 1818. Many of the editions are dedicated to Rossini. This dedication is printed, or a manuscript message from the author to Rossini.
Worth mentioning are the circa 35 libretti of the operas by Rossini, collected by his father Giuseppe Rossini. Each libretto has a decorative, paper binding and a charming label in handwriting.
Iconographic pieces are also well represented in the collection with no less than 140 items. Portraits of Rossini are very well represented, mostly engravings, lithographs and photos, besides a number of caricatures of the composer and a portrait, oil on canvas. There is also the medal of the centenary of Rossini’s birth and a sweet, small bust.
The collection contains also about ten objects. The most striking object is the fan-shaped vase, from around 1850, with seven musical quotes from Rossini’s famous works. The white swan in front of the portrait in terracotta is a very clear reference to his nickname, the ‘Swan of Pesaro’. The Michotte collection contains a number of Rossini utensils, such as this stylish letter opener and his pince-nez.
Other pieces have a strong sentimental value, like the palm branch of Rossini’s death bed and some flowers, originating from the wreaths when the corpse of Rossini was removed to the Santa Croce church in Firenze.