The esteemed French harpist-composer jots a short note to English conductor Sir George Smart: Mr. Labarre has the honor to present his compliments to Sir G. Smart and with appreciation five guineas for Mr. Cooper's soirée on June 3, 1828.

After studying the harp with Nicholas-Charles Bocsha at the Conservatoire, Théodore Labarre won the Prix de Rome and began concertizing around Europe. In his later career he would conduct the Opéra Comique, regularly perform in England with his wife, and become professor of harp at the Conservatoire. He also wrote a number of popular small works for the harp, though they are not widely known today.

Sir George Smart (1776-1867) was among the foremost conductors of his time, leading the Royal Philharmonic Society and the opera at Covent Garden, directing the music for the opening of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and serving, at different times, as the organist and composer of the Chapel Royal. He also enjoyed the acquaintance of Beethoven and the close friendship of Weber.