An absolutely unique, bound collection of 7 original Italian opera librettos from the Regency Period in London. All in English and Italian.

These were personally collected by R.P. Jodrell, Scholar, Playwright, Opera enthusiast and Solicitor General to The Prince of Wales, each time he visited the opera. At some point after 1817, he would have taken this collection to his bookbinder and had it bound.

8vo, quarter bound in brown calf, with a list of the contents written in his own hand to the flyleaf. Further Jodrell signature to each libretto. In very good condition. Calf shows some slight scratching here and there, and the edges of the volume are bumped, but otherwise volume is very sturdy and firm.

The Librettos consist of:

1. SIDAGERO:
or,Codanonia Conquistata: A serious Opera, being a DRAMATIC NOVEL, in Two Acts, As Represented by THE KING'S THEATRE in the HAY-MARKET, with additions and alterations BY S. BUONAIUTI.
The Music by P.C. GUGLIELMI, JNR, who will provide the Harpsichord, London, Printed by Brettell and Co, Marshall-Street, Golden Square and Sold at the Opera-House and no where else, 1810. Price TWO SHILLINGS (and no more.)

PAGE DETAILING PLOT/Actor summery is detached but present. 2 inch tear and small chip to top of page 31 - no text affected.

2. LA VESTALE;
The Vestal:
A Serious Opera, in Two Acts, as represented at THE KING'S THEATRE , in the HAY-MARKET. For the Benefit of MADAME CATALANI, May 3, 1810. The Music entirely new, and composed by V. Pucitta. Entered at Stationer's Hall, London: Printed by Printed by Brettell and Co, Marshall-Street, Golden Square and Sold at the Opera-House and no where else, 1810. Price TWO SHILLINGS (and no more.)

Madame Catalini (who sings Giulia) was one of the most renowned opera singers of the time. She was so famous, even Poe mentions her in his work (although he never saw her perform). If you would like to know what she looked like, take a look here: https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp00797/angelica-catalani

3. LA CAPRICCIOSA PENTITA;
or, Caprice Corrected. A Comic Opera, in Two Acts, as represented at THE KING'S THEATRE , in the HAY-MARKET. The Music by Fioravanti. London: Printed for and sold by R. Zotti, 16 Broad-Street, Golden Square. By Brettell and Co. Marshall-Street, Carnaby-Market. 1809, Price TWO SHILLINGS (and no more).

4. LA CACCIA di ENRICO IV.
or, Henry the IVth of France's Hunting Party. A Heroi-Comic Opera, in Two Acts, by S. BUONAIUTI (Totally altered and re-written) as represented by THE KING's THEATRE in the HAY-MARKET. The Music (entirely New) BY SIGNOR V. Pucitta. Entered at Stationers' Hall. rinted by Printed by Brettell and Co, Marshall-Street, Golden Square and Sold at the Opera-House and no where else, 180. Price TWO SHILLINGS (and no more.)

5. IL MATRIMONIO SEGRETO
or The Secret Marriage: A Comic Opera in Two Acts,s represented by THE KING's THEATRE in the HAY-MARKET. The Music by CIMAROSA. Entered at Stationers' Hall. London : Printed by J. Gillet, Crown Court, Fleet Street, 1814. (Price two shillings, and no more.)

6. ARISTODEMO,
A TRAGIC DRAMA, in Two Acts, Taken from the celebrated tragedy of the same name of Signor Monti, by L. G. Buonavoglia. As performed at THE KING'S THEATER, HAY-MARKET, for the benefit of Signor Tramezzani, with music entirely new by Mr. Pucitta, Printed by J. Gillet, Crown Court, Fleet Street, 1814. (Price two shillings, and no more.)

A softer paper was used for this libretto and there is a more noticeable wear along the edges.

7. L'AGNESE;
DRAMMA SEMISERIO, Per Musica in duo Atti. AGNES; A Serio-Comic Opera, in two acts. Represented at THE KING'S THEATRE in THE HAYMARKET, May 15, 1817. The Music by Paër. London: Printed by W. Winchester and son, in the Strand; AND SOLD AT THE OPERA HOUSE, And no where else.

This is really a remarkable piece of history. Opera and theatre were immensely popular at this period in London, and even Jane Austen was know to frequent theatres on occasion (although she did not seem keen on serious opera. Original librettos from this period are rare - few are available on the market and those that I could find are in library and museum archives. This particular collection has an added interest due to its provenance and you can read about Jodrell here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Paul_Jodrell

Condition: Very good. Books shows some expected wear considering its age (1 page loose, one tear, occasional spotting, and some slightly softening to the page edges) but is otherwise clean, firm and odor free.

One of a kind.