Description
DAME EMMA ALBANI Autograph Letter Signed.
Canadian born British soprano singer.
ALS. 3pp. Park House, Earls Court Road, SW. August 23rd 1901. To Mrs [Kennerley] Rumford (the singer, Clara Butt).
"We are indeed very sorry that, leaving town tomorrow for a visit in North Wales, we shall not be able to come to you neither Sunday nor Monday! I have been very busy with hard work since the 4th - and I want a rest and change - but we return next Saturday tomorrow week and I hope that you will still be in town - as I would like to see you and the dear Baby! Keep well and don't do too much! Our kindest remembrances to Mr. Rumford and my love to you."
12mo. Approx 5.75 x 4.5 inches. The letter was originally on a single folded sheet but this had been cut along the fold to form two separate sheets for display in an album. The letter is, however, complete and without any loss. Remains of mounting hinge on blank verso of last leaf and left edge of first leaf. All else near fine.
Emma Albani (known as Emma Albani-Gye after her marriage to singer Ernest Gye in 1879) was one of the foremost operatic singers of her day. Her repertoire included Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti and Wagner and she was a favourite of both Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm I and was praised by Franz Liszt. The career of Emma Albani at Covent Garden spanned 24 years but she also sang at Milan and New York and toured extensively. The letter is to fellow singer, the contralto Clara Butt, who had married baritone Kennerley Rumford in 1900. A pleasing letter from one great singer of the 19th century to another.
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