Item 42 - Letter from Félix Gicquel to R. C. Trevelyan

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Eight days ago he and his sister went to the 'marvellous concert' Trevelyan had so kindly directed them towards: thanks him again for giving them such pleasure, of such high quality. If he had known Trevelyan's friends the performers [Adila Fachiri and Jelly d'Arányi] before the concert, he would have appreciated their 'rare qualities' even more. The elder [Adila] has a very human style of playing; one senses she is an 'ardent, passionate woman, a "panther"'. Her sister [Jelly] is a young girl with a 'seraphic' style of playing; 'an angel of the order of "Powers"'. Madame Fachiri performed the Bach "Chaconne" with a 'prodigious' sustainment and balance, while Mademoiselle d'Arányi played Mozart's serenade very well. Loved their performance of the Bach sonata together, while an adagio brought him to tears. The second part of the concert allowed the artists to 'showcase all their delightful sounds', but the music descended from the 'elevated spheres' of Mozart and Bach. He and his sister went to the foyer afterwards to greet the performers, who welcomed them enthusiastically:Trevelyan's name was a 'precious key' which opened wide the door. Went the next day to Princess Bibesco's to pay his respects to Jelly and her mother. Their kind welcome touched him greatly, and he had the 'boldness' to ask if he could escort them to the theatre one evening; therefore had the great pleasure of taking them to the Nouveautés to see "Chouchou poids plume"; unfortunately Marguerite was unable to come. Promised them that he would come to England at last next year in June and July; hopes that the pound [exchange rate] will allow the journey then, as today the difficulties are 'insurmountable'. It is four o'clock, so Trevelyan's friends will be arriving now at London; they were dreading the journey so he hopes the crossing was not too hard. Asks Trevelyan to pass on his admiration and friendship when he sees them next. Will have the pleasure of spending the evening with Fr[ancis] Birrell next Monday; Birrell came to see him the other day when they arranged the evening, and Gicquel found him in good form if a little skinny; he is always full of spirit and charming.

• French