Schubertiade :: [Opera & Performance] [Queen Victoria. (1819–1901)] & Novello, Clara. (1818–1908) [Balfe, Moscheles, Persiani, Braham, Reeves, Rachel, Lablache, Stephens, Landseer, Howitt, Meyerbeer, Grisi, Sainton, Lind, Goldschmidt, Bishop, Albani, Halle, Macready etc!]

[Opera & Performance] [Queen Victoria. (1819–1901)] & Novello, Clara. (1818–1908) [Balfe, Moscheles, Persiani, Braham, Reeves, Rachel, Lablache, Stephens, Landseer, Howitt, Meyerbeer, Grisi, Sainton, Lind, Goldschmidt, Bishop, Albani, Halle, Macready etc!]

Clara Novello's Reminiscences - EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH 45 ORIGINAL PERIOD PORTRAITS, LETTERS, NOTES, MUSICAL QUOTATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHS & AUTOGRAPH INSERTIONS

London: Edward Arnold. 1910. First Edition. An extraordinary volume, being the 1910 published edition of the celebrated soprano's reminiscences as compiled by her daughter, this copy extra-illustrated with forty-five authentic letters, notes, and musical quotations; and photographs and portraits, many contemporary, some hand colored; including autograph items of the Novellos, Balfe, Persiani, Braham, Rachel, Lablanche, Kitty Stevens, Landseer, Mme Grisi, Alboni, Queen Victoria, Meyerbeer, Cobden, etc., dated 1820 to 1897, all bound in, with many inlaid to size. Engravings in very good to fine condition, some with light plate marks. Rebound full calf, tooled, with original gilt-lettered cloth pasted to spine and cover, edges rubbed; deckled fore edge of text block, edges generally crisp and unchipped.

Clara Anastasia Novello (1818–1908) was a celebrated soprano, admitted at age 11 by Rossini to the Institution Royale de Musique Classique et Religieuse in Paris; as a young adult she was hailed in the courts and musical centers in England, Germany, and Italy as a renowned soloist in sacred and stage music by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Rossini, and others; and from the 1850s onward in England she was celebrated as an interpreter of oratorio. The successful publishing house of Novello & Co. was founded by her father Vincent and her eldest brother Alfred. During her life Clara experienced the Revolution of 1830 in France and the struggle for independence in Italy, as the spouse of an aristocrat in the papal states. Her reminiscences were compiled by her daughter, Countess Valeria Gigliucci, illustrated, published in 1910, with a memoir by Arthur D. Coleridge.

The present volume constitutes a remarkable collection and veritable encyclopedia of musical, literary, and artistic life of the period, assembled with great care, whereby at nearly every mention of a name within the printed text, whether in passing or as the object of more extended focus, the collector (perhaps Countess Valeria?) has found and inserted an original portrait of, or document by, that person. These materials, personal to Clara's life and times, include the following:

Within the "Introductory Memoir," by Arthur D. Coleridge, pp. 1–24
Novello, Vincent. (1781–1861). Autograph letter signed, June 8, 1844, Baywater, "to speak to [Mr. André] relative to some of the Mozarts' MSS which are on sale." 4.5 x 7.5 inches (11.5 x 19 cm), at front pastedown.
Novello, Vincent. (1781–1861). Signed address panel from the same. 3.25 x 2.5 inches (8.5 x 6 cm), at front endpaper.
Novello, Sabilla. (1821–1904). Autograph verse, June 22, 1897, "My Sister Victoria's Birthday." 4.25 x 6.25 inches (10.5 x 15.5 cm), at t.p. verso.
Balfe, Michael William. (1808–1870). Autograph note signed, July 5, 1856, London. Bifolium, 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 18 cm) folded, at opening of pp. 8/9, recto.
Moscheles, Ignaz. (1794–1870). Autograph clipping, sentiment, 1820. 1 x 7 inches (2.5 x 17.5 cm), at opening of pp. 8/9, verso.
Novello, Clara. (1861–1943) Stipple portrait engraving of Novello seated at "[John Bro]adwood & Sons" piano. Trimmed to 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 22 cm), at opening of pp. 12/13, recto.
Novello, Clara. (1861–1943). Autograph musical quotation, excerpt "Deh, vieni, non tardar," Le nozze di Figaro, by Mozart, in Clara Novello's hand, September 22, 1858. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 22 cm), at opening of pp. 12/13, verso.
Portrait engraving of Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani. Trimmed to 4.25 x 7 inches (11 x 18 cm), light foxing, mounted to paper at opening of pp. 12/13, recto.
Persiani, Fanny Tacchinardi. (1812–1867). Autograph musical quotation, excerpt "O luce di quest'anima," Linda di Chamounix, by Donizetti, inscribed Fanny Persiani, London, August 17, 1858. 4.75 x 3.75 inches (12 x 9.5 cm), at opening of pp. 12/13, verso.

Within "Clara Novello's Reminiscences," pp. 25–210

Braham, John. (1774–1856). Hand-colored engraving, "Costume of Mr. Braham, in Gli Orazzi." 4 x 7 inches (10.5 x 17.5 cm), at opening of pp. 30/31, recto.
Braham, John. (1774–1856). Autograph note signed by John Braham. Bifolium, 4 x 6.25 inches (11.5 x 16.5 cm) folded, at opening of pp. 30/31, verso.
Reeves, Sims. (?1818–1900). Clipped signature, 0.75 x 3 inches (2 x 7.5 cm) with carte portrait of Sims Reeves by Sarony & Co., 2.5 x 3.75 inches (6 x 10 cm), at opening of pp. 38/39, recto.
Reeves, Sims. (?1818–1900). Autograph note signed by Sims Reeves, July 9, 1864, 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.5 cm), at opening of pp. 38/39, verso.
[Félix, Rachel. (1821–1858)] Mme. Rachel. Hand-colored engraving, portrait of Mme. "Rachel," 5.5 x 5.5 inches (14 x 14 cm), at opening of pp. 56/57, recto.
[Félix, Rachel. (1821–1858)] Mme. Rachel. Autograph note signed by Mme. Rachel, at opening of pp. 56/57, verso.
Lablache, Luigi. (1794–1858). Engraving, "LABLACHE | Artiste du Théâtre Italien", Imp. d'Aubert & Cie. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 18cm), at opening of pp. 64/65, recto.
Lablache, Luigi. (1794–1858). Autograph note signed, May 2, 1842: "Mr. Lablache returns his best compliments to Mr Macready". Bifolium, 4.75 x 7.25 inches (12 x 18.5 cm) folded, at opening of pp. 64/65, verso.
Stephens, Catherine, Countess of Essex. (1794–1882). Engraving, "Miss Stephens," William Hopwood after Charles Hayter, 4.75 x 6.75 inches (11.5 x 17.5 cm), at opening of pp. 70/71, recto.
Stephens, Catherine, Countess of Essex. (1794–1882). Autograph note signed, 4.5 x 7.5 inches (11.5 x 18.5 cm), at opening of pp. 70/71, verso.Landseer, Edwin Henry, Sir. (1802–1873). Autograph note signed, 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 18 cm), at opening of pp. 88/89, recto.Stephens, Catherine, Countess of Essex. (1794–1882). Performance ticket bearing signature in ink "C. Stephens" in lower right of card captioned "Miss Stephens' NIGHT" at center, 3.5 x 2 inches (8.5 x 2.5 cm), at opening of pp. 88/89, verso.Stephens, Catherine, Countess of Essex. (1794–1882). Wedding announcement of Kitty Stephens to the 5th Earl of Essex, newsprint clipping, April 1839, 2.5 x 1.5 inches (6 x 3.5 cm), at opening of pp. 88/89, verso.Howitt, Mary. (1799–1888). Autograph note signed, 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.5 cm), at opening of pp. 96/97, recto.
Russell, John, Earl. (1792–1878). Signed address panel, 4.25 x 2.75 inches (11 x 7 cm), at opening of pp. 96/97, verso.Ouseley, Frederick Arthur Gore, Sir. (1825–1889). Clipped autograph sentiment, 4.5 x 3 inches (11 x 7.5 cm), at opening of pp. 96/97, verso.Grisi, Giulia. (1811–1869). Engraved portrait by J. C. Armytage from a photograph by Bassano, 4.5 x 6.5 inches (11 x 16.5 cm), at opening of pp. 100/101, recto.Grisi, Giulia. (1811–1869). Autograph note signed, 1844, 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm), at opening of pp. 100/101, verso.Craik, Dinah Maria Mulock. (1826–1887). Autograph note signed by the author of John Halifax, Gentleman, 3.5 x 4 inches (8.5 x 10 cm), at opening of pp. 110/111, verso.Sainton-Dolby, Charlotte. (1821–1885). Autograph note signed, 4.5 x 3 inches (11.5 x 8 cm), at opening of pp. 114/115, recto.
Sainton, Prosper. (1813–1890). Signed card, January 17, 1867, stamped borders, 4.5 x 5 inches (11.5 x 13 cm), at opening of pp. 114/115, recto.Lind, Jenny. (1820–1887). Signed seat ticket, Liverpool, Theatre Royal, Lind in the role of Marie in Donizetti, La figlia del reggimento, September 8, 1847, 2 x 3 inches (4.5 x 7.5 cm), at opening of pp. 114/115, verso.Goldschmidt, Otto. (1829–1907). Clipped signature, 2.5 x 1.25 inches (6 x 3 cm), at opening of pp. 114/115, verso.Bishop, Anna. (1810–1884). Engraved portrait by Battistelli, 1844, 5.25 x 8.5 inches (13 x 21.5 cm), at opening of pp. 124/125, recto.Bishop, Anna. (1810–1884). Autograph note signed, 4.5 x 5.25 inches (11 x 13 cm), at opening of pp. 124/125, verso.
Alboni, Marietta. (1826–1894). Autograph letter signed, 3.75 x 6 inches (9.5 x 15 cm), at opening of pp. 132/133, recto.Alboni, Marietta. (1826–1894). Engraved standing portrait by Charles Vogt, 1885, printed by Bertauls, Paris, 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.5 x 22 cm), at opening of pp. 132/133, verso.Queen Victoria. (1819–1901). Autograph note signed, Osborne House, Isle of Wight, January 26, 1869, addressed to Elizabeth Campbell, Duchess of Argyll. Bifolium, thick black border, writing on first side only, 4.5 x 6.75 inches (11.5 x 17.5 cm) folded, at opening of pp. 140/141, recto.Hallé, Charles, Sir. (1819–1895). Autograph note signed, Bristol, March 2, 1872; 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 18 cm), at opening of pp. 140/141, verso.Meyerbeer, Giacomo. (1791–1864). Autograph letter signed, Paris, January 23, 1827. Its addressee, "Mon Cher Monsieur le Directeur," was certainly René-Charles Guilbert de Pixerécourt (1773–1844), director of the Opéra-Comique in Paris; Meyerbeer refers here to L'artisan, the work by Fromental Halévy (1799–1862) in production at the Opéra-Comique. Pixerécourt had commissioned a three-act opéra comique from Meyerbeer in the prior year; in the present letter, Meyerbeer requests the director's "laissez-passer" to attend rehearsals, and asks his support in their communication with Germain Delavigne, the librettist with whom Meyerbeer would collaborate shortly on Robert le diable (1931). Bifolium, writing on first side only, 5 x 7.75 inches (12.5 x 19.5 cm) folded, at opening of pp. 160/161, recto.
Ouseley, Gore, Sir. (1770–1844). Autograph letter signed, 6 x 7.75 inches (15.5 x 19.5 cm), folded in its width, at opening of pp. 166/167, recto.
Macready, William Charles. (1793–1873). Autograph letter signed, 5.25 x 6 inches (13 x 15.5 cm), at opening of pp. 166/167, verso.Lemon, Mark. (1809–1870). Carte, Stereoscope Co., 2.5 x 4 inches (6 x 10 cm), at opening of pp. 180/181, recto.
Lemon, Mark. (1809–1870). Autograph note signed, addressed to one R. B. Peare, Esq., asking whether he "named to Cumberland anything about my unpublished pieces and if so what was his answer?" 7 x 8.75 inches (18 x 22 cm), at opening of pp. 180/181, verso.Sainton-Dolby, Charlotte. (1821–1885). Signed carte, Maull & Co., London; 2.5 x 4 inches (6.5 x 10.5 cm), at opening of pp. 190/191, recto.Sainton-Dolby, Charlotte. (1821–1885). Autograph note signed; bifolium, written on all four sides, 3.75 x 5.5 inches (9,5 x 14 cm) folded, at opening of pp. 190/191, verso.Cobden, Richard. (1804–1865). Autograph note signed, 1853, to Alfred Novello, eldest sibling to Clara; 3.75 x 5.75 inches (9.5 x 14.5 cm), p. 210. (18578)

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