Lots from the estate of the distinguished British conductor, harpsichordist and composer/arranger Raymond Leppard (1927-2019) impressed at Ripley Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).
He had served as conductor with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1987-2001.
For someone so closely linked with the music of Monteverdi, it was no surprise that his name should feature among the more successful lots of books, scores, etc.
A rebound Faber edition of the score of his opera Il Rettorno d’Ulise in Patria that bore Leppard’s personal notes sold at $1300 (£955). Other highlights included a 1744 score for Rameau’s baroque opera Dardanus… at $2800 (£2060) and Charles Villiers’ annotated 1913 autograph score for his Irish Rhapsody No 4, The Fisherman of Lough Neagh…, at $2600 (£1910).
Great Britten
A signed and annotated score for Benjamin Britten’s 1967 overture The Building of the House, written for the opening of Snape Maltings concert hall in Suffolk, sold for $1100 (£810) in Indianapolis.
