Lehmann, Lilli. (1848-1929)
Interesting Autograph Letter
1 p. Salzburg, Mozarteum, July 17, 1927. Addressed "Dear Madame," about requirements for a potential student, stating that "I charge 10 Doll. a lesson, can not [sic] give half lesson as it would never do to excersize well...It is very difficult to judge about voices so far away, and also a voice does not do the artist...It would be necessary for the art, that Mr. Adams should practice a very good German before he begins to study, it will give him a ground, a foundation for his career. Without this I could not take him, the opera and concert carreer [sic] is founded on German composer and poetry." Signed in full, "Lilli Lehman." In fine condition, one crease reinforced with tape on the verso. Letters from Lehmann in English of such content are uncommon.One of the most important German sopranos and teachers of the Golden Age, Lehmann sang in the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876, singing in the first complete performances of The Ring Cycle as Woglinde and Helmwige. At the Met in New York, she helped to popularise Wagner's music in America and later returned to Europe and eventually became director of the Salzburg Festival, from where this letter was sent. Although she was considered unsurpassed in the roles of Brünnhilde and Isolde, she sang an astonishingly wide array of other parts. Indeed, across the span of her career, she performed 170 different parts in a total of 119 German, Italian and French operas. She was also a noted voice teacher and among her pupils were the famous sopranos Geraldine Farrar and Olive Fremstad. (5400)
Autograph Letter Opera