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Though he wrote quickly, Donizetti left extensive evidence of his aesthetic concerns in his autograph manuscripts. These documents reveal with extraordinary clarity the difficult composition process underlying works that, on the surface, appear to be almost effortless. Anna Bolena, which marked Donizetti's first triumph and carried his name to every important operatic center in Europe, is a central work in his career. In a close study of the autograph manuscript, Gossett examines Donizetti's musical decisions, shedding light on the composer's relationship with the Rossinian tradition and his efforts to define a personal style. Through this example, the book also seeks to develop a vocabulary and method for the analysis of Italian opera. The argument is illustrated with numerous musical examples.