Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787). Se pur cara é a mé la vita. As Sung at the King s Theatre Haymarket, By Signora Banti, in the Opera of Alceste, Composed by Gluck (London, Corri, Dussek & Co, [ca 1794] ; cotage 674) ; brochure in-fol., 7 p. Extremely rare first edition of this aria by Alceste, with lyrics by Lorenza Da Ponte. It is not mentioned in the Gluck Gesamtausgabe sources, which only mention the edition (circa 1810) by Birchall, Corri & Dussek's successor. At the head of the score is this note: NB. This is the only Edition with the Words by Sigr Da Ponte, as Sung by Sigra Banti . This aria from Alceste was arranged by Da Ponte for the soprano Brigida Banti (1757-1806). Orchestral score: violins 1 and 2, viola (viola), oboe and fortepiano accompaniment.