About this Item
First edition, first printing, presentation copy, inscribed by the composer to Joseph Littau on the title page, "For Joe, with grateful friendship from Richard Rodgers". There is also a gift label laid-down to the front fixed endpaper, dated 1945. The binding is lettered "For Joe from Dick" on the front cover. A five-bar introduction to Billy's "Soliloquy" is added by hand. The five bars at the beginning of "Soliloquy" were not included in the first vocal score, the 1948 band parts (copied by Lenny Heinze), or the late 1960s parts (copied by Al Pagano). They were restored in the 1987 Scott Tilley and Bruce Pomahac edition, which attempted "to reflect in as complete and correct a form as possible the music and lyrics and orchestrations of Carousel as they were performed in the 1945 original Broadway production". "These bars are written in both the original conductor's book and the existing original pit parts" (Tilley & Pomahac, p. 599). John Raitt, the creator of the role of Billy Bigelow, noted that "these bars had. been added during the Boston try-out and remained a part of the show as long as he was in it. He claimed the reason for adding music was that he needed time to come down stage. and that this introduction was created to make a more effective transition into the song that followed" (Tilley & Pomahac, p. 599). Joseph Littau (1891-1977) commenced his career as a concert pianist but soon switched to conducting. Positions included musical director of the Rialto Theatre and the Roxy Theatre Symphony on Broadway and musical director of the Boston Opera Company. Before Carousel, Littau was the musical director of Carmen Jones. In his autobiography, Richard Rodgers notes that it was Littau who first told him of the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Also included are: a) MOLNAR, Ferenc. Liliom. New York: Samuel French, 1944, "Acting Edition", presentation copy inscribed on the half-title, "To Joseph Littau from Ferenc Molnar 1945". Octavo, original green wrappers lettered in black, some toning and foxing. b) [PLAYBILL]. The Playbill for The Majestic Theatre. [New York: The Playbill, 1945]. Small quarto, original wrappers, some light toning. c) [THEATRE GUILD]. The Theatre Guild presents Carousel. New York: Artcraft Litho, [1945]. Quarto, original wrappers, some light soiling. d) SIRMAY, Albert. Typed letter signed to Joseph Littau, requesting his corrections for the next edition of the Carousel vocal score. New York: Chappell & Co., RKO Building, Rockefeller Center, 7 February 1946, single sheet of printed letterhead (280 x 216 mm), typed on one side, some light soiling. e) BLACKSTONE STUDIOS. Photo of Ferenc Molnar, 152 x 101 mm, inscribed "To Joseph Littau - from Ferenc Molnar, April 19, 1945, - 'Carousel'", some creases, credit stamp on reverse. f) LIPPMAN, Irving. Photo of the director of Carousel with cat and film camera, 226 x 187 mm, inscribed "II. 1946. For Joe Littau - admirable conductor and charming man - with appreciation and warmest wishes - Rouben Mamoulian", credit stamp on reverse. Richard Rodgers, Musical Stages: an Autobiography, 1975; Scott Tilley & Bruce Pomahac, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel, 1987. Folio. Original brown cloth, front cover lettered in gilt with ruled border in blind. Housed together with other material in a custom green cloth box. Head and foot of spine very slightly bumped: a near-fine copy.
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