The Autographs and Collectible Memorabilia Blog

Jacques Offenbach - Pioneer of the Operetta

Jacques Offenbach was a German-born French composer and cellist during the Romantic Period. While his famed Les Contes d'Hoffmann is considered his only full-length opera, his musical legacy lies primarily in his 100+ operettas that contain a unique mixture of social and political satire, along with catchy melodies and popular...

The Tchaikovsky House-Museum in Klin, Russia - A Visit

Front view of Tchaikovsky's House-Museum in Klin (Russia) THE TCHAIKOVSKY HOUSE Nearly everyone on the planet has heard of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty, but not many can name the composer responsible for these brilliant works. Russian Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky conceived these ballets and many of his other most famous works...

Kathleen Ferrier: Klever Kaff

There is no need to say how much we loved and admired darling Kath, how we treasured her friendship and were honored and proud to work with her and for her. It is unbelievable that she is no longer with us, and that we shall never hear that glorious voice...

The Life of Chopin by Franz Liszt

INTRODUCTORY NOTES "Life of Chopin" is a biography of the renowned Polish composer and piano virtuoso, Fryderyk Chopin. The book was originally published in French in about 1863 and was later translated to English by Martha Cook. It is written from the perspective of an actual friend, admirer, and fellow composer...

Pablo de Sarasate: The Prodigy from Navarra

INTRODUCTION Born in Pamplona (Navarra), Spain on March 10th, 1844, Martín Melitón, later renamed Pablo de Sarasate is amongst the most influential figures in the history of Spanish classical music and one of the greatest violin virtuosi of all time. To this day his legacy lives, carried on by his concise...

Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy - A Visit

About Il Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy - its history, our visit, and many photographs.

Cecile Chaminade - French Composer and Pianist

Cécile Chaminade, in full Cécile Louise Stéphanie Chaminade (1857 – 1944), is a French Composer and a popular concert pianist. Though a very gifted and versatile composer, she was chiefly known for her graceful and romantic piano music and songs, which were very appropriate for the Parisian salon music events...

Facsimile Autograph: How to Detect Printed Signatures

HOW TO KNOW WHEN AN AUTOGRAPH IS PRINTED OR IS IN FACT A REAL ONE CONTAINING REAL LIVE INK In an earlier blog article, we mentioned that “the most frequently asked question when authenticating historical autographs is how to tell if an autograph is real?” The article went on...

Frederic Chopin: The Funeral March Story

THE SONATA Chopin at the house of Prince Radzivill in Posen Frédéric Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35, was composed between the years 1837 and 1839. The work was completed around 1839 while Chopin was living in George Sand's manor in the French town of Nohant....

Autographed Guitars - A Sound Investment in Signed Collectibles

Many fans love to have a guitar signed by someone who is famous either for singing and playing the guitar or just for playing alone. It is a rather costly autograph investment, compared with photographs, and it occupies a much larger space, but signed guitars are still greatly appreciated by...

Hermann Levi: a champion of progress and tradition

Hermann Levi, the German conductor, Known as the conductor of Jewish origin who against all odds was the conductor at Richard Wagner’s Parsifal premiere.

Benjamin Britten’s Red House in Aldeburgh, UK - A Visit

Are you a music lover? Then, you’ll enjoy Benjamin Britten’s House in Aldeburgh. Nicknamed The Red House, it provides visitors with a window in the life of the prodigious composer.

Michael Rabin – America’s First Teen Violin Sensation

Michael Rabin was known as one of the preeminent violin virtuosos of the 20th century. After a debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of 13, Michael went on to travel over 700,000 miles during his career. Sadly, Michael’s career was cut extremely short. He died at the age of...

Photo Top Loaders - Safely Store your Collectible Autographs

Top Loaders are a very convenient storage solution: sleeve-like items that usually have only one open side. They are usually made of Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, which is chemically non-reactive/inert. Here you can learn more about them, manufacturers, prices and sizes.

Giacomo Puccini and the World Premiere of La Bohème

INTRODUCTION According to Operabase, Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème is not only the composer’s most performed opera but it is also amongst the most often produced works of the entire repertoire only slightly behind such giants as Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Verdi’s La Traviata and Bizet’s Carmen. However, La bohème’s grand scale...

Maria Callas Debut at The Metropolitan Opera

Maria Callas during the curtain call after her debut as Norma at the Met, 1956 October 29, 1956. It remains as vivid to me now as it was then, when I was there, sixty-five years ago. Maria Callas was at last making her eagerly awaited debut on the stage of...

Hugo Wolf – A Biography

Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) was born in Slovenjgrade, Slovenia. His family was of predominantly German origin. Philipp Wolf, Hugo’s father, forcibly succeeded his father, Franz Wolf in the leather trade. Star conductor Herbert von Karajan was related to him via Hugo's mother. However, he found consolation in music and taught himself...

Ultimate Autographs - 10 Things that Make a Signed Photo Perfect

Are You Interested in Purchasing and/or Collecting Original Autograph Photos? Here is a guide to help you know what is best or most desirable for collectors and fans. Based on our experience of well over a decade helping autograph photograph collectors find their desired item, we compiled a...

Grace Moore: The Tennessee Nightingale

It is wonderful to live and sing. It is a great thing to feel that one is able to help other people with one's voice. I want to play in a new opera where the heroine does not die in the last scene or go mad. That is why I...

Edita Gruberova – Famed Coloratura Soprano Passes at 74

Celebrated Slovak soprano Edita Gruberova captivated fans around the globe during a career that spanned over five decades. She died at the age of 74 on October 18, 2021, leaving behind a legacy that included over 700 performances. Take a moment to explore the life and times of this renowned...

Vaslav Nijinsky and Diaghilev: The Famous Paris Debut 1909

Since the time of the gods and pharaohs, dance has had a crucial role in history, where rhythmic movements gave free rein to the exhibition of feelings and thoughts through the use of the body as an instrument of expression, accompanied by iconic costumes as a way of showing respect...

Strange Things that Celebrities Sign - With Photos

Part of being a celebrity is having to interact with your fans. With the exception of few stars that are known to be notorious grumps, most celebrities graciously accept this kind of attention and will take a few minutes to chat with their fans and sign things. In fact, signatures play a...

Marie Antoinette Autograph Letters: X-Rays Analysis Reveal Content of Her Censored Writings

Using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, researches uncovered previously unknown text from Marie Antoinette´s letters sent to her lover, the Swedish count Axel von Fersen.

Best Modern Opera Houses of the World

TOP 22 AMAZING MODERN OPERA THEATERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) Our selection of some of the best modern opera houses from around the world. BEIJING OPERA HOUSE (CHINA) Beijing Opera House - External View Beijing Opera House - Internal View BIALYSTOK OPERA HOUSE (POLAND) Bialystok Opera House (Poland) - External View...