Nevada, Emma. (1859–1940) & Nevada, Mignon. (1886–1971) [Von Reuter, Florizel. (1890–1985)]
Two Autograph Signatures with a Rebus
Two autograph signatures from the mother-and-daughter sopranos, with Emma Nevada adding a rebus as an inscription to violinist Florizel von Reuter. On recto and verso of two leaves taken from a small album, Mignon has penned: "To Florizel von Reuter, may his life be as happy and his career as brilliant as his wonderful talent..." dating Paris, April 7, 1909. On the next pages, her mother adds a long "Rébus" in French: "My first is a boy of exquisite simplicity / My second is a being who is all heart / My third is a young man full of intelligence, spirit, and charm / My fourth—the soul of an extraordinary musician, a marvelous talent / My all is a violinist-composer and concertmaster, a child gifted by Heaven, who I admired with enthusiasm and I love with sincerity", also dating Paris, April 7, 1909. We have not been able to decipher this rebus, other than to observe that Nevada was obviously an admirer of the young prodigy! Toning and some mounting remnants; overall very good. 4.5 x 5.25 inches (11.3 x 13.3 cm).Emma Nevada was an American operatic soprano particularly known for her performances in operas by Bellini and Donizetti and the French composers Ambroise Thomas, Charles Gounod, and Léo Delibes. Her daughter Mignon was named after the title character of the 1866 opera Mignon, written by her godfather, French composer Ambroise Thomas, and trained by her mother as a coloratura.
Florizel von Reuter was an American-born violinist and composer, a child prodigy who went on to an adult career, mainly in Germany, as distinguished soloist and teacher of violin. He was also a psychic and medium and the author of several books on his alleged mediumistic communications with deceased musicians. (16540)
Signature Classical Music Opera