Exhibitions

In summer 1998, the Centre organised the Busoni autograph exhibition, consisting of the manuscript of The Bride’s Choice and the letters of the Boghen Collection. The exhibition was open from 1st to 31st July at the Refectory of the Augustinians in Empoli, with two alternative paths for the visitor to follow through these exhibits of Ferruccio Busoni’s handwriting.

The manuscript of Die Brautwahl (The Bride’s Choice) first of the composer’s four operas) was the focus of the first path, supplemented by a series of explanatory panels and material relating to the world première (Hamburg 1912) and the only Italian performance (Florence, 1966).

A second path through the exhibition was devoted to the letters that Busoni sent to Felice Bonghen between 1915 and 1924, the core of the vast correspondence in the Bonghen Collection (owned by the Busoni Centre since 1993).

Music and words thus formed a varied sample of autographs revolving around the figure of Empoli’s favourite son, all aimed at demonstrating his cultural centrality that has been too often undervalued.