Artôt de Padilla, Désirée. (1835-1907). Autograph Musical Quotation - "Verdi Prati.". Uncommon AMQS from the great Belgian Soprano who studied with Viardot before going on to win acclaim throughout Europe as one of the greats of her era. On Meyerbeer's recommendation, she starred at the Paris Opera and appeared regularly in Italy, Germany, and England. In 1868 she went to Russia and became friends with Tchaikovsky, who eventually proposed marriage to her. She rejected him and - with tragic consequences - he married another, later saying that Artot was the only woman he ever wanted to marry. Artot eventually married baritone Mariano Padilla and together they produced the soprano Lola Artot de Padilla.



AMQS marked "Aria - Largo / Handel" four measures of Handel's glorious "Verdi prati," from "Alcina," neatly inscribed and signed "D. Artot de Padilla / 9 mai 1889" in purple ink on a card measuring 10 x 8 cm. Fine.