Giuseppe Pelitti (1837-1905) and his son Giuseppe Clemente Pelitti (1837-1905) were two family members who were famed and prized for their innovations. Among the special instruments they created were the bombardino (a B-flat euphonium), the tromba alla bersagliera or Bersag horn and the trombone basso Verdi.

But what interests us here is the Aida trumpet. Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) wanted to have long and straight Egyptian trumpets for the Triumphal March of the opera Aida for its premiere in 1871. He commissioned them initially through Giulio RICORDI (1840-1912) from Giuseppe Clemente Pelitti and not Adolphe SAX (1814-1894).  A total of six trumpets were ordered and Ricordi and Pelitti met with musicians to try them out. Three had to be in the key of Ab, and three in B. It was soon discovered that it wasn’t possible for the players to play the piece required without valves. It is thought that they then added players with a valveless trumpet one tone higher so they could share the notes of the piece. So that would be in B-flat and C-sharp.  History tells us that eventually single valves were added to the trumpets that were hidden in the musician’s hand, so that the audience could not see it.

So, what about those Aida trumpets in C-sharp? Could this be a mere theatre trumpet, post horn or indeed an Aida trumpet? This beautiful trumpet is elegantly crafted in brass and stamped PELITTI / MILANO. Its nominal pitch is C-sharp (D-flat) at a pitch of a=438 Hz. It is in playing condition with its original mouthpiece.  The leather case is just stunning and wonderfully preserved. It’s clear that it was made to house and protect not just any trumpet, but something very important indeed.

We’ll never know if this is indeed an Aida trumpet. But it is surely a rarity that is now in easy reach of that special someone who would like to own it.

show less