Legendary mezzo-soprano (1808-1836) who was one of the most famous opera singers of the 19th century. She passed away at age 28 from injuries sustained after falling off her horse. ALS in French, signed “Malibran,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7.5, October 29, 1829. Lengthy handwritten letter by the famed mezzo-soprano, in part (translated): "We shall leave tomorrow morning for Exeter, my dear Mr. Denniée, where I have to give 8 concerts, which I have to split between in Bath and Bristol, where I have to come back. We shall be on 24th en route to Paris. We shall be on 26th in Calais. Please send me a letter at Hôtel Meurice, letter in which you will, after having said all the pretty things which you so well know to say without appearing being conscious of it, you shall tell me what are the number, the street, the house, &c., &c. which you have booked for us. If you have not booked it yet, do it right now, if you do not mind, and if you do…all the same. [sic] Now, to finish what I have not begun yet, I end my letter saying that you are a villain, who did not want to reply to me. I have written to you, from Gloucester, from Chester, from all the places in the world…But it seems that this year is not propitious for people who dedicate themselves to literature, fine arts and, like me, who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to epistolary style…Hem!! No foolishness. Enough prattle. I hope that Mr. Laurent will be good for me, and will make me forget the harsh manners of he whom I shall, from now on, always put at the Porte. Not bad for a woman whose it is not the work. Do you know what saddens me each time I finish my letters? It is to have to sign Malibran because of all the foolishness in the world." Addressed on the integral leaf in Malibran's hand. In fine condition.
In 1829, Malibran fell in love with the violinist Charles de Bériot and determined to divorce her first husband. Initially, she asked the Marquis de Lafayette to push a divorce law through the French Parliament; when this effort proved impossible, she asked her lawyers to annul her first marriage. It was finally annulled by the Courts of Paris in 1836, and she would marry Charles on March 26, 1836 —just six months before her unfortunate death. In the final line of this letter, she introspectively comments on the tragic circumstances of her romantic life.
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