Bidspirit auction | FAURE GABRIEL: (1845-1924)

FAURE GABRIEL: (1845-1924) - FAURE GABRIEL: (1845-1924) French Composer, Organist & Pianist. A very fine A.L.S., ` Gabriel Fauré ´, four pages, 8vo, Monte-Carlo, 5th April, n.y., to a friend, on the printed staionery of the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, in French. Fauré reports on his time in Monte-Carlo and Portofino, on the warm welcome he has received and on his rehearsals and orchestra, stating in part ` Me voici à Monte Carlo d´où le soleil est tout à fait absent: il est supplié par l´accueil absolument chaud, cordial, véritablement de premier ordre... J´ai répété ce matin avec un orchestre délirant, débordant d´enthousiasme... Non, tout de même, cet orchestre d´ailleurs exquis, m´a traité admirablement et j´ai eu un grand plaisir à la conduire. Que vous dire encore de Portofino, sinon que je ne songe qu´à y retourner?´ (Translation: ” Here I am in Monte Carlo, where the sun is completely absent: it is compensated by the absolutely warm, cordial, truly first-rate welcome... I rehearsed this morning with a delirious orchestra, overflowing with enthusiasm... No, really, this orchestra, otherwise exquisite, treated me admirably and I had great pleasure in conducting it. What else can I tell you about Portofino, except that I can't think of anything else but returning there?”) Further, Fauré refers amusingly to his own voice, and to the soprano expected to sang his work, saying ` Pour ce qui concerne ma voix, (ma douce voix de toujours, n´est-ce pas?) il y a peu de progrès. Elle reste cruellement rauque ou totalement voilée. Aussi, est-ce Litvinne qui chantera pour moi, jeudi.´ (Translation: ” As for my voice (my sweet voice of always, isn´t it?) there's little progress. It remains cruelly hoarse or completely veiled. So, it's Litvinne who will sing for me on Thursday.”) Before concluding Fauré makes a funny comment regarding the lack of news received from his correspondent, stating ` Je cherche, pour t´apporter, une plume qui écrive toute seule. Cela nous assurera peut-être, pour l´avenir, le plaisir de recevoir directement de tes nouvelles!!!...´ (Translation: ” I'm looking for a pen that writes by itself to bring you. Perhaps this will ensure us, in the future, the pleasure of hearing from you directly!!!...”) VG Félia Litvinne (1860-1936) Russian-born, French soprano.