LEHÁR, FRANZ (LEHAR FERENC). (1870-1948). Hungarian operetta composer whose most famous work is The Merry Widow. ALS. (“Lehar Franz”). 1p. 8vo. Vienna, March 16, 1903. To a director. In German with translation.
“Only today can I answer the letter because I had been away. I would indeed be very much interested to become acquainted with the Libretto of your Scenarium. However, since I am going to Munich tomorrow I would like to ask you to mail the book to me, so that I will find it after my return. Will then write as soon as possible…”
Accompanied by Lehar’s printed visiting card with his Vienna address on the verso of which he has penned an ANS (“Lehar F”). 1p. 32mo. Ischl, August 18, (year illegible). In German with translation. “Confirming the receipt of 2000 Kr that is two thousand Kronen for Mr. Carl Lindau!”
Franz Lehar
Although Lehár was born in the Kingdom of Hungary, he spent much of his life abroad. He began to work in Vienna in 1899 and, in 1902, he was appointed the conductor of the prestigious Theater an der Wien, where his opera The Merry Widow premiered in 1905 and his Der Graf von Luxemburg in 1909. “The extent of the development of Lehár’s musical style was unusually great, if not unique, for an operetta composer,” (The New Grove Dictionary). His other works include The Land of Smiles, Giuditta and Der Zarewitsch.
Austrian writer and actor Karl (Carl) Lindau (1853-1934) played comedic roles at the Theater an der Wien from 1881-1901 and authored more than 100 plays, farces, operettas, and libretti, including the text for Lehar’s lieder “Die Näherin” (“The Seamstress”).
Lehar spent his summers in the Austrian spa town Bad Ischl, where, in 1912, he purchased a villa on the Traun River, now a museum dedicated to Lehar. Bad Ischl is also the site of an annual operetta festival held in his name and the Lehár Theatre, named in his honor.
Our early letter is lightly folded and creased. The visiting card has a paper clip stain affecting a few words of the note. Both items are in very good condition.
