Stravinsky, Igor. (1882-1971) Russian composer, he became famous with his music for the Diaghilev ballets The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911), and The Rite of Spring (1913), and went on to compose a body of highly regarded and influential work that helped define the modern idiom.
Form Letter/Document Signed. One page, Quarto, on W. W. Norton Letterhead, New York, NY, July 29, 1968. Letter from Candace Watt, managing editor of The Norton Library, requesting permission to reprint passages from Stravinsky's Autobiography for a paperback edition of The Essence of Opera, to be edited by Ulrich Weisstein and published by The Free Press of Glencoe in 1964. The letter, addressed to Arnold Weissberger, Stravinsky's attorney who controlled the rights to Stravinsky's autobiography, asks permission to reprint:
"...1000 words at the beginning of p.110 and 800 words in connection with "Oedipus Rex" from the 1963 edition of the Autobiography; reprinted by permission of the author and M. and J. Steuer... Permission to reprint this material was granted by you for the original clothbound edition of the book. May we ask you to extend the permission to cover the appearance of the book in the paperback reprint? If this is acceptable to you, please sign one of the two copies of this letter which are enclosed, and return it to me..."
The letter is then signed by Miss Candace Watt, and a line is reserved on the bottom for Stravinsky's authorization by signature. The composer signs his name in full, "Igor Stravinsky 8 August 1968."
Fine.
Estimated Value $250-350.
