to the architect Vincenzo Luccardi in Rome, urging him not to castigate the good patrons of the La Fenice opera house as imbeciles (expressed by Verdi very coarsely), merely because they judge La traviata a load of junk, as who knows if they are wrong? ("...ma i Veneziani hanno giudicato quell'opera una porcheria.  Ebben? Chi ha torto?...Vorresti dare del Mona a tutta quella rispettabile popolazione del Gran Teatro la Fenice?..."), explaining that he does not like the subject of Hugo's Marie Tudor as an opera subject since it is too relentlessly grim ("...trista, terribile dal principio al fine..."), and criticizing the impresario Jacovacci for wasting money on fruitless projects  

1 page, 8vo (21.5 x 13.5cm), integral autograph address leaf, remains of red seal, Busseto, 7 June 1853, tears and creases, repaired and partly laid down on thin paper, slight loss of text to opening, minor restoration to the address leaf

Carteggi Verdi-Luccardi, edited by Laura Genesio (2008), no.32; published with several divergences from the autograph and lacking two lines.  Genesio's text derives from a 1896 magazine and a 1974 auction catalogue description. 

The letter has suffered several tears and creasing. It has been repaired and the upper part is backed with thin brown paper, This backing paper is fixed at the top of the leaf and holds the top of the letter firm, preventing further tears or loss of text (there is slight loss to opening of the letter and minor restoration to the address leaf).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Verdi's La traviata is arguably the best-loved of all Romantic operas, yet its première at La Fenice, Venice, on 6 March 1853 was one of the most famous debacles in the history of music.  Verdi refrains from criticizing the audience, whilst maintaining his confidence in the opera, which was shortly to be justified. La traviata triumphed in Venice the following year: at the Teatro San Benedetto, for which the composer made important adjustments.  Verdi's aversion to Hugo's Marie Tudor (1833) contrasts with his enthusiasm for Hernani (Ernani in 1844) and Le roi s'amuse (Rigoletto in 1851). However, Marie Tudor had been used by Pacini in 1843.