London ,Chappell .1855. With a wonderful subdued colour lithograph by John Brandard of a scene from the opera and featuring all the main characters in the first London production(1855) of Verdi's opera. The is the convent scene Francesco Graziani(1829-1901) challenged by Enrico Tamberlik( 1820-1889) and Leonora clinging to him was Jenny Ney. D'Albert(1809-1886)although born in Germany, his father was a French Cavalry captain and upon his death,D'Albert and his mother decamped to England. He became very famous as a dancing master and moved to Newcastle upon Tyne. He wrote the standard work Ballroom Etiquette and a large number of Polkas,Quadrilles and Galops and the Sultan's Polka and the Edinburgh Quadrille were especially popular. In later years he moved back to London. This truly superb front cover is by John Brandard (1812-1863) who specialised in Waltz,Polka covers featuring ballet and opera performers and worked extensively with Michael and Nicholas Hanhart to produce these opulent sheets Folio size with music. Slight crease occurring across illustration, due to paper strengthening on inside outer edge but not affecting. Trimmed along bottom edge to remove publishers imprint else condition VG.