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Abstract:
The date of publication can be a good indicator of a new edition, and thus we seek methods to date Puccini’s editions with greater accuracy than has been previously available. In this study of the history of Puccini’s editions, other pertinent aspects of publication are reviewed, including the Libroni and copyist sigla. In particular, we trace how Casa Ricordi’s attempts to protect its main financial base (theater rentals) from piracy affected the timing of new editions of Puccini’s operas. Of special interest is the evidence from title pages that the last two orchestral scores of Manon Lescaut (conductor’s score 64.E.8A and commercial edition 64.E.8B) were published well after Puccini’s death, pointing to Toscanini, rather than Puccini, as final editor.