Museo della Musica - Letter from Count Agostino Litta to Father Martini and draft of response

Father Martini was a meticulous collector of musical artifacts, amassing a trove of treasures crucial for research in an era with very few libraries. His passion for preserving these musical relics made him a valuable resource for scholars and music enthusiasts. Bologna's renowned book collectors traded precious volumes with collectors across Europe. But a trove of letters reveals that securing these deals often involved gifts – like Paduan tobacco, rosolio, and even chocolates! The esteemed violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini even sent a shipment of tobacco to Martini alongside a request to review his book on music. This letter shows the importance of gifts in 18th-century social networks. Count Agostino Litta, seeking a recommendation for Johann Christian Bach, sent a sample of chocolate from his own household to a Franciscan scholar. This gesture was clearly well-received, as evidenced by the scholar's handwritten response on the back of the letter. (Coll. I.001.134a)