VERDI, Giuseppe (1813-1901). Italian operatic composer.
Autograph Letter Signed to Doctor Ercolano Balestra in Parma, 1 page 8vo with integral facing address-leaf, Tabiano, 1 July 1858. With translation.

'You'll be thinking that not a day goes by without my writing to bother you, and you're right, but please bear with me for just a bit longer - I've almost finished. ...'

He asks Balestra to collect a parcel addressed to him sent from Genoa to Parma, pay the expenses, and send it on to Busseto. Verdi may be going to St Agata on Sunday or Monday and would like to find it there.
 He has been told by Ettore Galluzzi, who is at Tabiano, that Balestra will be going to Busseto on Monday morning, taking 'the Piantadoro document' with him. Verdi reminds him that he has arranged for Menta (Giovannino, his farm-manager) to have an appointment at Cortemaggiore on the same Monday.

'Could you please let Menta know at what time you will be at Busseto with the document, so that he can collect it there and go straight on to Cortemaggiore? ...'

He asks if there is any further news about the coachman (whom Verdi was trying to replace), and apologises for all this trouble.
 Ercolano Balestra was a notary in Busseto, originally a friend of Verdi's father Carlo. In January 1851 Verdi engaged him to draw up a formal deed of separation from his parents, with whom he communicated solely through Balestra. For years thereafter Balestra handled most of Verdi's business affairs.
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