Casa Ricordi

Casa Ricordi is an Italian music-publishing house founded in Milan in 1808 by violinist and music copyist Giovanni Ricordi. It developed from a small workshop producing manuscript copies for theatres and musical organizations into one of the most influential publishers of classical music and opera. Its historical importance rests not only on the number of works it issued, but also on the way it connected composers, opera houses, performers and audiences through a controlled system of rights, rental materials, engraved parts and printed scores. The company’s early catalogue included instrumental pieces, arrangements of operatic melodies and vocal scores. Its position strengthened when it obtained access to the archives of La Scala and began managing publication and performance materials associated with major Italian theatres. Rather than limiting itself to selling printed music, Ricordi supplied orchestral parts and rented performance materials to opera houses. This model helped the firm maintain consistency between performances and created recurring relationships with theatres and composers at a time when copyright and publishing practices were still developing. By the middle of the nineteenth century, Casa Ricordi had become a major southern European music publisher. It built relationships with the works of Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini and Giuseppe Verdi, and later became central to the dissemination of Giacomo Puccini’s operas. Four generations of the Ricordi family led the organization before outside management was appointed in 1919. The family’s influence was particularly strong under Tito Ricordi and Giulio Ricordi, whose commercial expansion, editorial activity and composer relationships shaped the company’s international reputation. Giulio Ricordi combined publishing with cultural promotion. Under his leadership the company issued music periodicals and other musical publications, supported younger composers and helped develop Puccini’s career. He also encouraged Verdi’s return to opera after a period of retirement, contributing to the conditions that led to the revised Simon Boccanegra, Otello and Falstaff. Ricordi expanded its catalogue through acquisitions, including the 1888 purchase of the Lucca publishing business, and entered poster printing, commissioning work from prominent European graphic artists. The company established branches in Italian cities and abroad, including Naples, Florence, Rome, Palermo, London, Paris, New York, São Paulo, Toronto, Sydney and Mexico City. Its premises in Milan were damaged by aerial bombardment during the Second World War, although important collections had been moved to safety. After reconstruction, the family converted the company into a limited corporation in 1952, and Ricordi became publicly traded in 1956. By 1991 its catalogue reportedly contained 135,500 editions. In 1994 it was acquired by BMG Music Publishing; after BMG Music Publishing was acquired by Universal Music Publishing Group in 2007, Ricordi became part of that international publishing structure. Casa Ricordi’s heritage remains especially associated with classical repertoire, opera scores, vocal and piano reductions, orchestral materials, critical editorial work and performance rights. Its historical catalogue constitutes an important source for nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Italian opera, while its modern identity is connected to the preservation, licensing and continued publication of music under the Ricordi name.

Giovanni Ricordi began working as a violinist and music copyist in Milan before establishing the enterprise that became Casa Ricordi. His early business supplied manuscript copies to local musical groups and theatres. In 1808, after the end of a short partnership with engraver and music seller Felice Festa, he founded G. Ricordi & C. The company’s first known publication was a guitar work by Antonio Nava. Its 1814 catalogue contained 143 entries, largely piano arrangements of operatic music, individual numbers and guitar pieces, together with a vocal score of Simon Mayr’s Adelasia ed Aleramo. Ricordi’s early growth was closely tied to the practical and legal difficulties of publishing opera in nineteenth-century Italy. Full orchestral scores were difficult to control and reproduce, while theatres retained important materials and copyright rules varied between territories. Giovanni gradually obtained rights and access connected with La Scala’s archives and with newly produced operas. He also sought rights to represent composers before opera companies, allowing performances in other theatres to generate additional income. This made Ricordi more than a conventional printer: it became an intermediary between composers and the theatrical market. The company’s catalogue expanded through relationships with Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi and other composers. In 1839, Ricordi acquired rights connected with Verdi’s first opera, Oberto, and later works. During the 1840s the firm issued the Gran Catalogo, centered on theatre music and identifying a group of important house composers. In 1842 it launched the Gazzetta Musicale di Milano, an influential music journal. By the 1840s Ricordi had become the largest music publisher in southern Europe. The firm expanded beyond Milan through branches in Naples in 1864, Florence in 1865, Rome in 1871, Palermo, London in 1875 and Paris in 1888. It also developed more advanced engraving and printing practices. By the late nineteenth century Ricordi handled tens of thousands of editions and held Italian rights to important international repertoire, including Wagner’s operas. The company’s performance-rental business grew alongside its publication business. From the 1850s it issued full scores and orchestral parts for theatre use, particularly for Verdi’s Rigoletto, Il trovatore and La traviata. Giulio Ricordi, who led the firm from 1888 to 1912, was a central cultural and commercial figure. Writing under the name Jules Burgmein, he contributed to music periodicals and promoted publications such as Musica e musicisti and Ars et labor. He encouraged the development of younger composers, most notably Giacomo Puccini. In 1884 Ricordi supported the printing of the libretto for Puccini’s Le villi; after its initial success the company purchased the opera, supported its revision and published its score. Giulio also helped create the circumstances in which Verdi worked with Arrigo Boito on the revised Simon Boccanegra and later produced Otello and Falstaff. In 1888, Ricordi acquired Lucca & Canti, gaining rights associated with works first published by Francesco Lucca, including early Verdi material. The company also operated a poster-printing business. Its posters were designed by notable artists such as Leonetto Cappiello, Adolfo Hohenstein, Marcello Dudovich and Leopoldo Metlicovitz, making Ricordi part of the visual culture of modern European theatre and advertising. After Giulio’s death, his son Tito Ricordi II led the business until 1919. Relations with Puccini deteriorated during this period, and Puccini’s La rondine was published by Sonzogno rather than Ricordi. In 1919, management passed outside the family, although the company retained substantial influence through its Verdi and Puccini holdings and its broader opera catalogue. The twentieth century brought further international expansion, including branches in New York in 1911, São Paulo in 1927, Toronto in 1954, Sydney in 1956 and Mexico City in 1958. Ricordi’s Milan premises were seriously damaged by wartime aerial bombardment, but valuable collections had been stored elsewhere. Reconstruction followed the war. In 1952 the business was converted into a limited corporation, and in 1956 it became publicly traded. The company also became involved in the preparation of more reliable editions, responding to the extensive cuts, alterations and copying errors that had affected many nineteenth-century scores. Ricordi reported 135,500 editions by 1991. In 1994 it was acquired by BMG Music Publishing, and BMG Music Publishing was subsequently acquired by Universal Music Publishing Group in 2007. Casa Ricordi is therefore both a historic Italian publishing name and part of a larger international music-rights organization. Its enduring importance lies in its preservation and dissemination of Italian opera and classical music, as well as in the publishing, licensing and performance infrastructure it built around that repertoire.

• 2007

  Integration into Universal Music Publishing Group

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Universal Music Publishing Group acquires BMG Music Publishing, bringing Ricordi into its publishing group.

• 1994

  Acquisition by BMG Music Publishing

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  BMG Music Publishing acquires the historic Italian publisher.

• 1956

  Public listing

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Ricordi becomes a publicly traded company.

• 1952

  Corporate conversion

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  The family converts the postwar business into a limited corporation.

• 1919

  End of family management

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Outside management takes over after four generations of Ricordi family leadership.

• 1888

  Acquisition of Lucca & Canti

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Ricordi acquires a rival publishing business and rights associated with early Verdi works.

• 1884

  Support for Puccini’s Le villi

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Ricordi supports publication of the young Puccini’s first opera and later acquires it.

• 1844

  Gran Catalogo

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Ricordi publishes a major theatre-music catalogue centered on its house composers.

• 1842

  Launch of Gazzetta Musicale di Milano

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  The company creates a music journal that broadens its role as a cultural publisher.

• 1839

  Relationship with Verdi begins

  [1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Ricordi acquires rights connected with Verdi’s Oberto and his future compositions.

Showing the 10 most recent.

A heritage-led classical-music and opera publisher serving opera houses, professional musicians, conductors, scholars, conservatories, collectors and audiences. Its distinctive value is the combination of a historically important Italian opera catalogue, editorial expertise, performance materials and rights management.

• Printed music

  Opera vocal scores and piano reductions

  Ricordi’s opera catalogue includes vocal scores and piano reductions used by singers, teachers, conductors and opera companies. These editions translate large theatrical works into practical rehearsal and study formats while preserving the company’s historic relationship with Italian opera.

• Performance materials

  Orchestral and choral performance materials

  The company historically supplied rented orchestral parts, choral parts and other materials for theatrical performances. This performance-rental model was central to Ricordi’s influence because it placed the publisher inside the operational workflow of opera houses.

• Music scholarship

  Critical and scholarly editions

  Ricordi has participated in the preparation and publication of more reliable editions of classical and operatic repertoire. Such work responds to the alterations, cuts and copying errors that affected many nineteenth-century performing scores.

• Music publishing · 1842

  Music periodicals and books

  The Ricordi publishing tradition has included music journals, educational works, collected compositions and books about musical culture. Historical examples include Gazzetta Musicale di Milano, Musica e musicisti and Ars et labor.

• Music rights

  Opera and classical rights catalogue

  The company’s rights and licensing heritage covers important Italian classical and operatic repertoire, including works associated with Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi and Puccini.

• 1884Le villi support and acquisition

  Italy

  Ricordi supported the initial printing of Puccini’s Le villi, acquired the opera after its early success and helped bring its revised form to La Scala.

  Outcome. The relationship helped establish Puccini as a major Ricordi composer.

  Source
• 1880Promotion of Verdi’s late operas

  Italy · Europe

  Giulio Ricordi worked with Verdi, Arrigo Boito and other allies over several years to encourage Verdi to return to opera and develop new works.

  Outcome. The effort contributed to the production and success of Otello and Falstaff.

  Source

• 2007

  Integration through Universal Music Publishing GroupM&A

  Background

  The acquisition of BMG Music Publishing transferred Ricordi into Universal’s global music-publishing organization.

  Action taken

  Universal Music Publishing Group acquired BMG Music Publishing.

  Aftermath

  The Ricordi name and catalogue continued within the Universal Music Publishing Group structure.

  Source

• 1994

  Sale to BMG Music PublishingM&A

  Background

  Ricordi’s scale and international catalogue made it an acquisition target in the consolidating global music-publishing market.

  Action taken

  BMG Music Publishing acquired Casa Ricordi.

  Aftermath

  Ricordi became part of BMG’s international publishing structure.

  Source

• 1919

  Move to external managementStrategy

  Background

  After four generations of family leadership, the company required a management structure beyond direct Ricordi family succession.

  Action taken

  Management passed outside the family while the Ricordi catalogue and publishing activities continued.

  Aftermath

  The company retained its influence through major opera rights and international operations.

  Source

• 1888

  Acquire Lucca & CantiM&A

  Background

  Ricordi sought to consolidate Italian music publishing and strengthen its repertoire and rights position.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Lucca & Canti, a business formed through the merger of Giovanni Canti and Francesco Lucca’s publishing firms.

  Aftermath

  Ricordi gained rights associated with early Verdi publications and further strengthened its market position.

  Source

• 2007

  Universal Music Publishing Group acquires BMG Music Publishing[1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  BMG Music Publishing, including the Ricordi publishing business, was acquired by Universal Music Publishing Group.

• 1994

  Casa Ricordi is acquired by BMG Music Publishing[1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The historic Italian publisher was acquired by BMG Music Publishing, ending the company’s independence as a major standalone publishing business.

• 1956

  Casa Ricordi becomes a publicly traded company[1]Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following postwar restructuring and conversion into a limited corporation, Ricordi became publicly traded.

1. 1Casa Ricordien.wikipedia.org
2. 2Casa Ricordi official websitericordi.com