• SAUERMA, Rosalie: soloist, hrp

Bohemia 1/11/1850 published a brief report outlining the expectation of the arrival for the new concert season of  visiting virtuosi, ‘Die musikalischen Zugvögel [musical migrants, Zugvögel lit. a migrating bird]’. Aside from a ‘raven’s caw’, perhaps an oblique reference to the recent poor performance of the visiting violoncellist Lasner, the migration was heralded by the visit of the harpist ‘renowned everywhere for her virtuosity’, Miss Rosalie Spohr [married name Sauerma], niece of the well-known composer Louis Spohr. The correspondent expected her to give a performance ‘in a few days.’ Prager Zeitung 1/11/1850 also announced that the ‘praiseworthy well-known harp virtuoso Miss Rosalie Spohr (not of the celebrated composer Louis Spohr [presumably meaning not the daughter of Spohr, although Bohemia was correct in stating that she was his niece]) is coming here and would give us the opportunity, as we hear .... [to become acquainted with her renowned artistry].’ This came about on Wednesday, 6th November; the Tagesanzeiger of Bohemia 5/11/1850 related that ‘Evening in the Theatre: “Der Blitz”. During the interval: Concert of Miss Spohr.’ No further details of this event were noted by the source.

Bohemia 8/11/1850 published news that Miss Spohr was to give a second concert in Prague and noted that she had gained the brilliant recognition of the local audience following her performance in the theatre on 6th November. No information was given by this text about the works that she performed. However, the subsequent Bohemia 12/11/1850 review of the second concert again drew attention to the ‘striking success’ of her previous performance, and in the course of the text revealed that the earlier programme had comprised works by Parish-Alvars including his Fantasie on themes from Lucia.

Earlier in the year, Prager Zeitung 18/1/1851 contained news that Rosalie Spohr was expected soon to arrive in Prague and it was hoped the public would have the opportunity to hear her. The harpist seems not however to have appeared in the city at that time, certainly no record of her appearing as a performer was published in contemporary periodical sources.