2 autograph letters signed.

8vo. Together 7 pp. on bifolia. With 1 autograph envelope. The charming dated letter to an unnamed friend was to congratulate him on his wife and to introduce a singer named Violet Clarke: "D'abord toutes mes chaleureuses f licitations pour la belle et aimable femme, que j'esp re avoir le plaisir d'entendre un de ces jours. Voici une charmante amie moir, Miss Violet Clarke. Elle chante bien et a une jolie voix. Met toi ses ordres. T che de lui tre utile, et ton vieux copain te sera reconnaisant [!]". - The second letter to a Miss Edwards, according to the envelope, is a curious mix of French and Italian. Tosti apologizes for having to move an appointment due to rehearsals for a concert with the famous soprano Emma Nevada, her daughter Mignon Nevada, and other artists, complaining of his bad luck: "Absolumment je n'ai pas de chance ! L'uomo propone e la donna dispone ; dice il proverbio ! Io invece accomodo a mio modo il il proverbio, in questo caso, e dico : Un povero Maestro si propone di passare un agr able apr s-midi, e le stelle artiste dispongono il contrario. reve. Devo domani nell'apr s-midi fare una ripetizione (per un Concerto da Lady Scott di Martedi sera) con l'Albani [Emma Albani] con Nevada con De Loria [?] e con Nevada [.]". If the rehearsals were to take place in his house, he would have invited her to assist, but as they were not, Tosti asks the recipient to visit him some other day, also sending greetings to a Miss Nox. - Largely forgotten today, Tosti was the most popular composer of songs in England around the turn of the century and a highly respected musician. Having already gained a good reputation at the court in Rome, Tosti migrated to London in 1875 and was appointed singing master to the Royal family in 1880. By 1885 his songs were extremely popular in Victorian England and he received staggering fees from his publishers. Tosti was appointed professor at the Royal Academy of Music in 1894 and was knighted by his friend King Edward VII in 1908. - On stationery with embossed letterhead "2. Mandeville Place W." Traces of folds. The letter to Miss Edwards with traces of former mounting.