English Translation by Michael Finkelman

11 Pink Laurel Way, Toulon

13 September 1967

Dear Friends:

I stayed in Nice until Wednesday, and thought about you a great deal.

Maybe you got to Cleveland before I got [back from] Nice?  I hope you both had an excellent trip and will come back soon.

How are the children?  Have they grown?  I’m sure they were happy to see you again.  And [how about] the grandparents?  If they are still present, please remember me to them.

Upon my return, I found a letter from Mr. Sidney Repplier,* [ENGLISH:] Director of the Philadelphia Foundation, who told me Sol Schoenbach** had lost his mother.||

Sad.  I immediately sent a note of condolence, but without discussing recent goings-on.  All the same, he must know that I saw you in Nice. 

Now for a little fun.  In a July or August letter to this director, I asked [English:] 

“Are you accepting girls?” || and confided to him MT’s sentiments on this topic.  You remember my telling you about this.  Now I find this Mr. Repplier [ENGLISH:] is father to four girls!!  In his answer, he says “I would hate to think I’ve discriminated against members of the female sex simply because they happened to be females”!  MT would say I lost a good occasion to hold my pen! ||

Unfortunately, I have to run, but owe you this short letter [as thanks] for the delicious Godiva chocolates which arrived yesterday morning as much as for sending my affectionate thoughts.  It’s very nice of you to have thought of me. Thanks again.

Until later, and [with] my very affectionate thoughts,

Louise A. Tabuteau

P. S. Please take a moment to communicate with  S. Rapier*** [illeg].

*Sidney Repplier (1915-1993) headed the Philadelphia Foundation, and under his direction (1961 – 1982) the organization became a major source of funds for Philadelphia-area charities.

** Sol Schoenbach, principal bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra during many of the Tabuteau years, became head of the Settlement Music School following his retirement from the Orchestra.   

***It is unclear whether Mme T. is referring to Sidney Repplier or oboist, Wayne Rapier. 

Mme Tabuteau had been a French teacher at the Curtis Institute of Music. Her famous oboist-husband taught a handful of gifted woman at Curtis. After their graduation in the 1940s, they found it quite difficult to obtain positions playing the oboe in American symphony orchestras which, with few exceptions, remained closed to women.