Cosi Fan Tutte

In 1950 you could have found Balthus listening over and over and over again to his favorite opera by his favorite composer as he designs its sets and costumes for the directors of the Aix-en-Provence festival. 1996. Breakfast in Rossinière, Switzerland. For this book, Balthus sets in motion a quest for his 1950 watercolors; and for the original recording of the opera at Aix-en-Provence. From a villa in the hills above Marseilles to the depths of a Paris bank vault and finally to the famed Château de Chassy in Burgundy. Balthus selects the six most beautiful watercolors. From these Keiji Shinhara, a National Treasure of Japan, cut and printed the wood blocks for the prints in our book. From a 1957 recording by same conductor and cast who performed Balthus' original Così fan tutte we made our CDs.

Six multi-color woodcut prints by Balthus.

Edition limited to 300 numbered copies.

Each signed by Balthus.

Printed in the original Italian on handmade Chinese paper. Bound in bluegreen silk to recall the sea at Naples where the opera takes place. The same silk covers the hinged and lined case.

One volume, 19 x 18 inches.

Three CDs: Così fan tutte, Conductor: Hans Rosbaud, 1957.

As the publisher, we unconditionally guarantee that all books are authentic and the condition is As New (NOS).