Chopin institute acquires historic manuscript

The manuscript was purchased at an auction in Berlin for 300,000 euro and contains a dedication to the pianist Anne Caroline Belleville-Oury, whom Chopin met in June 1830 after her recital in Warsaw, shortly before his departure from Poland, first to Vienna and then to Paris.

Another new acquisition of the Chopin Institute is Chopin’s visiting card presented to the French pianist Marie de Rozieres. Chopin gave her some lessons and in 1840 introduced her to George Sand as a teacher for her daughter Solange. The Institute paid 15, 000 euro for the item.

The third Chopin memorabilia, purchased at the Berlin auction for 17, 000 euro, is the composer’s letter to an artist whose name has not been established so far. It is a formal letter in which Chopin expresses his regret that he is unable to accept the addressee’s invitation.

All the new acquisitations will soon be put on display in the Chopin Museum in Warsaw. The purchase was co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. (mk)