Lucio Battisti, touching letters to his mother up for auction: "I'm well, I'm doing everything I can to make it"

Some letters that a young Lucio Battisti sent to his mother Dea between 1963 and 1965 will go under the hammer at Finarte in Rome on 26 June. A correspondence that tells the story of his early years, between hopes, financial hardship and the determination to make it in the music world.

In a letter dated October 15, 1963, when he was twenty years old and had recently begun playing with I Mattatori, Battisti reassures his mother about his life away from home: “As for my stay in Verona, you can rest easy: I eat three times a day and get enough sleep. We're always getting around by car, and besides, it's not that cold. I really hope things go well, because a few days ago I felt a bit homesick for school, but maybe that's because those were carefree times, and as I grow older I have to face bigger problems. We're working hard to make it, doing things the right way.”
In the letters, the future singer-songwriter describes his day-to-day life as a musician on the road: lodgings, food and board expenses, necessary purchases, and the difficulties encountered along the way. At the same time, he tries to reassure his family about his decision to dedicate himself fully to music: “And tell dad not to worry or keep fretting over the usual things, because I'm doing well and living the life I want, with no more inferiority complexes or stomach troubles or anything else. Bye, Lucio.”

The letters also reveal his mother's support, as she encourages her son to pursue his artistic dream. In one reply she writes: “The most important thing right now is your songs – we hope you find the right path and can make your dream come true. Always stay on good terms with everyone, but especially with Roberto (this was Roby Matano, leader of I Campioni, ed.), who, even though I've barely spoken to him, I can already tell is a sincere young man. Listen to his advice – in fact, if he's so kind, you can ask him for it, because in any environment a loyal friendship is essential.”
According to Fabio Massimo Bertolo, a specialist in Finarte's manuscripts department, the material offers precious testimony to the artist's personal and professional development. “These are the early years, 1963-1965,” Bertolo explains to Adnkronos. “There are dozens of letters to his mother, and from his mother to him, interspersed with record contracts, but above all what are probably unpublished lyrics written in his early days, on all kinds of loose sheets of paper. The letters come from Verona, Turin, Milan, Diano Marina, Trani, and then The Hague, for his first tour abroad (Germany and the Netherlands) with I Campioni.”

Among the most significant documents is a letter sent from Turin on November 19, 1965, in which Battisti announces a decisive turning point in his career: “Work seems to be going well. I've closed the deal with Ricordi, and on the 26th I'm going to Milan to record. There was some uncertainty because Ricordi had offered me terms I couldn't accept, but then we talked it over, I made my requests, and the contract was drawn up according to what I asked for. For now I have to record two of my songs written together with Mogol. Once the record is ready, we'll see what can be done. Meanwhile, another song of mine (Il giorno che) has been recorded by a girl from Jolly, and it will be released shortly.”
The letter predates by several months what would become one of the most important partnerships in Italian music, confirming that Battisti and Mogol were already writing together as early as November 1965. As for “Il giorno che”, the song was never released, but part of the musical material would later be reworked by Battisti into “Mi ritorni in mente”, one of his most celebrated hits.

The auction catalogue also includes two guitars that belonged to the singer-songwriter – including the first one he received as a gift from his father and one of the first he used in concert – as well as several paintings made by Battisti himself. A collection of documents and objects that paints the portrait of a young artist still starting out, yet already convinced he could turn his passion into a profession.

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