Arturo Toscanini's articles: Sotheby's London aims to realise in excess of £1million

KOLKATA: On November 28, Sotheby's London raises the baton on the collection of the late conductor Arturo Toscanini - Italian maestro and virtuoso performer, who is amongst the legendary conductors of the 20th century.

Comprising 88 lots, and entitled Important Manuscripts, Letters and Memorabilia from the Family of Arturo Toscanini, the single-owner sale is estimated to realise in excess of £1million.

It will feature such important pieces as a Giuseppe Verdi Autograph Manuscript, Containing Three Early Drafts for the Opening of 'Falstaff '(estimated at £80,000-100,000); his Autograph Manuscript of the 'Ave Maria' for Chorus, from the Quattro Pezzi Sacri (estimated at £80,000-100,000) and a Felix Mendelssohn Autograph Manuscript Full Score of the Overture 'Die Schone Melusine', opus 32 (estimated at £400,000-600,000).

Stephen Roe, Sotheby's worldwide head of department, books and manuscripts, commented in an email statement: ""The Toscanini collection through which we can reconstruct the trajectory of his career is of overwhelming significance. Its items were acquired by Toscanini either directly from the composers, their families and his friends. Thus it is the case that many of the finest items have never been offered for sale on the market."