Madam, - A cache of 29 letters from the tenor John McCormack, written between 1905 and 1909 to the baritone J.C. Doyle, has recently come to light. I am in the process of editing them.
McCormack mentions about 20 singers in the course of the correspondence, including the soprano Agnes Treacy, with whom he appeared at the Antient Concert Hall in 1904 when James Joyce also sang, and in a Messiah at the Royal University (now the National Concert Hall) in 1908.
Agnes Treacy made a number of 78 rpm records but I have been unable to locate a single one or any details as to her date of birth or death.
I wonder if any of your readers might be able to help. Is there a relative of the soprano out there? I would be most grateful for any assistance. - Yours, etc,
GORDON T. LEDBETTER,
(Author: The Great Irish Tenor),
74 Highfield Road,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.
Tel/Fax: (01) 4970439