Massenet jules

Jules Massenet French composer. Autograph Letter Signed 'M. Massenet' to husband of Swedish soprano Sigrid Arnoldson-Fischhof written on a trip with his wife regarding a portrait of 'votre “merveille†de femme' and 'notre grand ami Hengel'

22368 — 8 February no year. No place. 3pp 12mo. Bifolium. On aged paper with punch hole through both leaves at head small closed cut along bottom edge of first leaf and with paper and part of another letter from an album glued onto the reverse of the second leaf. Folded once. The signature 'M. Massenet' is explained in Massenet's obituary in the Musical Times 1 September 1912 which speaks of 'the composer's known antipathy to the name Jules … He preferred to be called “M. Massenet†simply'. The recipient of this enthusiastic letter is not named. The letter appears to have been written to a man who has sent a portrait of his wife the Swedish soprano Sigrid Arnoldson-Fischhof to Massenet. It begins: 'Cher ami Le portrait est admirable et si ressemblant! L'attention est exquise!' He continues with a reference to 'votre “merveille†de femme' and then writes: 'Nous sommes en voyage Mlle. Massenet & moi et je vais écrire à notre grand ami Hengel.' He ends with a message for 'Mme Arnoldson'. 8 February [no year]. No place. unknown