Autograph letter signed.

8vo. 2 pp. on bifolium. To an "Illustre Signore" who has requested his aid in weighing the skill of a fellow composer. However, Verdi does not know the gentleman in question ("Non conosco il sig. Maestro Mercuri") and thus cannot pass judgement on him: instead, he suggests it would be better to have a contest in order to find a satisfactory answer. Verdi goes on to say that he is happy that these circumstances have given him the advantage of corresponding with a person who greatly honours Italy and science ("una persona, che onora tanto l'Italia e la scienza"), and he dares to hope that he will be forgiven for not having been able to answer more satisfactorily the question he was asked. - The maestro in question was likely Agostino Mercuri (1839-92) who wrote several operas. His son later claimed in a biography of Mercuri that his father was familiar with many great musical names of his age, including Verdi, but perhaps this was an exaggeration, or refers to a later acquaintance after Mercuri wrote his most famous opera, "Adelinda", the year following this letter. - Gently creased along folds; subtle paper repair to small closed tear.