Description
MARIE BREMA Autograph Letter Signed.
English born (of German father and American mother) mezzo-soprano singer.
ALS. 3pp. 17 Sussex Villas, Kensington, W. No date [but ca.1901]. To Mrs [Kennerley] Rumford (the singer, Clara Butt).
"My very best congratulations Dear Mrs Rumford. May your little daughter give you all the happiness and sunshine that mine brings me - I can wish you no more. Affectionately, Marie Brema." With a P.S. thanking her for her letters.
12mo. Approx 5.75 x 4.5 inches. Remains of mounting hinge to blank verso of last leaf, else fine.
A pleasing letter, from one great 19th century singer to another. Marie Brema caused an instant sensation when she made her London debut in 1891 as Lola in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, winning the admiration of the young George Bernard Shaw. She created the role of the Angel in The Dream of Gerontius by Sir Edward Elgar and became a leading Wagnerian singer - being the first English singer to appear at Bayreuth. She writes here to another famous singer, the contralto Clara Butt. Clara Butt had married baritone Kennerley Rumford in 1900 and their daughter had been born the following year. Marie Brema's own daughter, Tita Brand (of whom she speaks so fondly in this letter), had a career as an actress and married the Belgian poet, Emile Cammaerts.
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