Reyotaff, Emma Mershon De Konschine d. 1937

DE KONSCHINE, MERSHON, REYOTAFF

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:40

Emma De Konschine Reyostaff Dies May 14, of Pneumonia
Newton’s prima donna, Emma De Konschine Reyotaff, died of pneumonia, May 14, in Kaluga, Russia, according to word received by F. E. Meredith.
Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James R. Mershon, Mrs. Reyotaff was born in Newton approximately 70 years ago and had lived in Russia for over half a century.
As Emma Mershon, she was sent to Italy to study under Lamperti, one of the world’s greatest voice teachers. It was in Italy that she met and married Count Nicolas De Konschine, a wealthy Russian nobleman, and they spent the summers in Moscow and the winters in Italy.
In 1894, she and her husband visited the former’s father in the house, now owned by A. G. Peters, and the two gave a concert in the old Lister Opera house. They scored many triumphs in American cities during their visit here.
Left destitute by the revolution in 1917, Madame Reyotaff sent her two sons, Nicolas and Keorge Konschine, to the United States after the war and they made their home for two years with the late Judge J. E. Mershon, in Des Moines. They are now in California.
After Count Konschine’s death about 12 years ago, Madame Konschine married Mr. Reyotaff.
Source: Newton Daily News; Wednesday, June 30, 1937