diplomat, choreographer and historian (1834-1900). 2 Autograph letters signed. [Paris]. 8vo. 7 pp. on 4 ll.
$ 429 / 400 €
(91739/BN61063)
On musical performances of opera singers with a personal assessment. - The "Dimanche" letter of Saint-Amand's later years to a friend with a recommendation of the singer Mademoiselle Calvi for Monte Carlo and Europe, noting the project of the conductor Jules Pasdeloup: "Je me suis empressé de communiquer à Mlle Calvi l'aimable projet de Pasdeloup. Elle chante très bien l'Italien. Mais Lucie [de Lammermoor of Donizetti], qui est tout-à-fait un rôle de chanteuse légère ne rentre ni dans son répertoire, ni des ses moyens vocaux [...]".
- To a friend in Étretat, the letter noting "Jeudi soir", praise for Ambroise Thomas' music, the baritone Victor Maurel reflects on creating Jacque Callot, about the opera singer Caroline Salla for whom he, Saint-Amand, sees a bright future and whom the heat had badly affected so she should take some days off at Étretat before her tour to London, about a Francoise strengthened for a further voyage by the sight of the sea: "Je suis plus en plus content de Mlle Salla. je lui prédis un succès éclatant. C'est une grande cantatrice et une tragédienne inspirée [...]". - Each letter with letter head of the foreign ministry and collection stamp of the "Archives Ménestrel". The shorter letter slightly browned, rubbed and somewhat dust stained with light foxing to the corners..