Relazione Storica dell'origine, e Progresso della Festosa Congrega de Rozzi di Siena (Historical Report of the Origin and Progress of the Festive Congrega de Rozzi, in Siena) [Teatro dei Rozzi]
Parigi (Paris) [Siena]: [Moreni], 1757. First edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 79pp. Rebound in modern 3/4 pebbled dark brown leather over grey paper boards with gilt lettering, motifs and raised bands on the spine.
This scarce work is a history of the Teatro dei Rozzi, in Siena, Italy. The prestigious live theater venue and community, originally founded as the "Congrega dei Rozzi" (Congregation of Rozzi) in 1531, was created for performances of poetry and drama, and made significant contributions to the local developments of these artforms over the centuries. The theater notably held performances of works by dramatists such Girolamo Gigli (1660- 1722), Pietro Fortini (d.1562) and Iacopo Angelo Nelli (1673-1767). It truly established itself as a prominent cultural and educational institution of Siena, by when it established the Academy of the Rozzi, in 1690. The title page states that the author of the work is Lorenzo Ricci, a merchant of old books, that it is directed to (dedicated to) a Mr. Lottinj, a Parisian printer, and that the book was printed in Paris. In the years since, historical and bibliographic scholarship have identified Ricci as a pseudonym of Italian scholar, historian and politician Giovanni Antonio Pecci (1693-1768) of Siena (where the book was actually published). Although not identified, the publisher (printer) is believed to be Moreni. The half-title page in this copy contains period manuscript notes in ink, in Italian.
Text throughout in Italian, with an additional preface in French.
Binding with minor rubbing to extremities, including light rubbing to the hinges. Interior with some minor smudges and few light water stains throughout, although the pages are overall quite clean. Dated signature of a previous owner in pencil on the front free endpaper. Book block tight. Binding in very good, interior in very good+ condition overall. vg to vg+. Item #50532
Price: $350.00