Il Talismano - Carlo Goldoni

Opera libretto by Carlo Goldoni (113 pages)
Authenticated by International Expert Renato Saggiori as fully handwritten by Carlo Goldoni
Contact : goldoni@goldoni-talismano.com

ABSOLUTE UNICUM • Complete autograph manuscript of 113 pages • One of only two known in the world

Goldoni’s final libretto • Directly connected to Salieri, Rust and Da Ponte (Mozart’s legendary librettist)
Price on request — Confidential private acquisition

Certificate of Authenticity – Renato Saggiori

International Expert in Ancient Manuscripts and Autographs

The complete 113-page manuscript of Il Talismano has been examined and certified as entirely autograph by Renato Saggiori (Geneva).

✅ Official Authentication • Two original certificates available

Discover the original Certificates by Renato Saggiori →

Overview

Il talismano (The Talisman) is a dramma giocoso per musica (comic opera libretto) written by Carlo Goldoni in 1779, one of his final works. The libretto was set to music by Antonio Salieri (for the first act) and Giacomo Rust (for the subsequent acts), with revisions by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It premiered on August 21, 1779, at the Teatro alla Canobbiana in Milan, to inaugurate the theater.

« This manuscript directly connects three giants of opera: Antonio Salieri (who composed the first act), Giacomo Rust (for the subsequent acts) and Lorenzo Da Ponte, who revised the work and, a few years later, became the legendary librettist of Mozart for Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni and Così fan tutte. Il Talismano thus represents a unique historical link between Goldoni’s reform of opera buffa and the Mozartian golden age. »

Main Plot

The story revolves around romantic misunderstandings and a magical object. The governor Pancrazio wants to marry his daughter Sandrina to Lindoro. However, Lindoro is in love with the gypsy Carolina and has no intention of marrying Sandrina.

Meanwhile, Perillo, who is in love with Sandrina, has fled and joined the gypsies because Pancrazio disapproves of their relationship.

To allow the four young lovers to unite according to their own wishes, Carolina uses a talisman given to her by the gypsy chief Cardano. This talisman enables her to change her appearance and identity at will, leading to a series of deceptions, disguises, and tricks aimed at outwitting Pancrazio.

The work is a light-hearted comedy filled with wordplay and misunderstandings, typical of the 18th-century opera buffa genre, incorporating elements of magic and gentle social satire.

Importance in Carlo Goldoni's Career

Il Talismano is a significant work in Carlo Goldoni's career primarily because it represents one of his last contributions to musical theater... [le reste de ton texte original est conservé]

Note: This is not a spoken comedy like Goldoni's classics such as The Mistress of the Inn or The Servant of Two Masters, but an opera libretto intended to be sung. It represents one of Goldoni's most interesting contributions to musical theater.

There are currently two known complete autograph manuscripts of comedies/dramas by Carlo Goldoni:

Il Giustino (tragicommedia, 1738) – public collection, Biblioteca di Studi Teatrali, Casa di Carlo Goldoni, Venice.
Il Talismano (dramma giocoso per musica, 1779) – private collection, authenticated by the expert Renato Saggiori.

Il Talismano (The Talisman)

Certificate of Authenticity – Renato Saggiori

Overview

Main Plot

Importance in Carlo Goldoni's Career

Il Talismano (Opera)