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Sophie Braslau (1892-1935) was a contralto prominent in United States opera, starting with her debut in New York City's Metropolitan Opera in 1913 when she was just 21 years of age. [1] In her obituary The New York Times wrote, "The singer considered as her greatest triumph an experience during a rehearsal for a concert at Richmond, Va., where she had been sent to substitute for Mme. Louise Homer. After an introduction to the musicians in the empty auditorium, she sang an aria for rehearsal."

"I finished and there came a dead silence," she recalled later, "quickly followed by the strangest sound I had ever heard.  The musicians tapped their music stands with their bows or clapped their hands." In a few seconds it seemed as if pandemonium had let loose, and how happy I was! It was really the finest moment of my life. My mother was there, and it seemed to me that this was her triumph, for the evening concert was a great success and this was the first big joy she had experienced after her many years of devoted supervision."

(Many photographs of Mme. Homer can be seen in the LOC Bain Collection here.) There are currently nine photographs of Sophie Braslau in the LOC Bain Collection from c.1910-1915 here.)

This was printed in archive.org/details/talkingmachine17bill/page/n135 , a page from an issue of Talking Machine World from July 1921.
"William Waldman recently opened a new Vic-
tor store at Forty-third street and Ninth avenue,
New York City. The opening was well attended
and entertainment was furnished through a Vic-
trola concert in the afternoon and evening. Fit-
ting souvenirs of the occasion were given through
the distributing of Penn-Victor dogs to those
who attended. This new shop has been very
finely equipped with eight demonstrating rooms,
attractively arranged, and with a large display
room in front. Van Veen equipment in Ameri-
can walnut finish was used throughout."

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