JOHANNES WOLFF - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED CIRCA 1891 - HFSID 154548

JOHANNES WOLFF
The classical violinist penned this letter extending an invitation to attend one of his concerts
Autograph Letter signed: "Johannes Wolff", in black ink, 1p, 4½x7. To "Dear Madam". In French, translated in full: "This morning I sent you two tickets and I would be thrilled to see you at this concert and to take your hand. Please accept, dear Madam, for you and the young lady, my sincere greetings./ [signature]/ 266 Vauxhall Bridge Road/ S.W." Johannes Wolff (1863-1931) was a Dutch violinist who was a favorite musician of both Queen Victoria and Czar Nicholas II. The child of amateur musicians, a young Wolff decided he wanted to play the violin after attending a concert featuring Henryk Wieniawski. He studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory as a young man and moved on to the Paris Conservatory. After traveling across Europe and even across the Atlantic (playing in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1893), he eventually settled down in London, in the nation where he was most popular. A year later he formed his own company, the Wolff Musical Union. He prided himself on playing unique compositions not often heard in popular classical music circles, including pieces by Charles-Marie Widor and Cecile Chaminade. From 1896 to 1898, he was a music teacher at the Guildhall School of Music in London. In 1897 he was the subject of a famous painting by American portrait artist John Singer Sargent. Several composers, Camille Saint-Saëns and Gabriel Fauré being two of the most notable, dedicated pieces to him. Toned, especially at edges. Soiled at top and bottom edges of verso. One horizontal mailing fold. Dated 20 June 91 in an unknown hand. Otherwise, fine condition.