[Opera] Flagstad, Kirsten. (1895–1962) [Bedeir, Joseph.; Simmonds, Florence. (trans.)]. The Romance of Tristran and Iseult - INSCRIBED BY FLAGSTAD & WITH 2 AUTOGRAPH LETTERS TO SYBIL SASSOON. London: William Heinemann. 1910. 4to, 218 pp., 20 mounted colour plates by Maurice Lalau, decorated initials to each chapter, fore-edge uncut, blue cloth decorated in white and gilt. Scattered foxing, some abrasion of the cloth, spine faded, slight tears at head. A most wonderful signed copy from the supreme Norwegian soprano so closely associated with the role of Isolde, inscribed on the front endpaper "Sybil Sassoon - Kindest greetings from "Isolde", Kirsten Flagstad, Feb 19th 1948." Together with two brief letters from Flagstad to Sybil Sassoon who had seen the performance at Covent Garden, saying that she will sign the book if it can be left at her hotel, and then requesting that she may be able to look through the book for a few days "as it is so lovely." And with the complete Covent Garden program.



Sybil Rachel Betty Cecile Sassoon, Marchioness of Cholmondeley (1894 - 1989) was Chief Staff Officer to Director WRNS, WRNS HQ, Admiralty (HMS Pembroke III) from 12 November 1939 until 1946. On 9 February 1945 she was appointed as Supt. of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) and the following year was made CBE.