The Autographs and Collectible Memorabilia Blog

Farewell to Claudio Abbado (1933-2014)

Claudio Abbado, one of Italy’s finest conductors of the modern age, passed away from stomach cancer on January 20, 2014. He left an impact on major orchestras across Europe and in North America, which was preserved on several seminal recordings. Conducting Career Abbado came from a very musical family and...

Trapp Family Chorus Signed Program – Back 63 Years Later

The Trapp Chorus, was composed by members of the Von Trapp family which originally came from Austria in 1939. On tour around the USA and Canada, they gave well over 1000 performances of choral music by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, etc as well as traditional songs from Central Europe, English madrigals,...

TOP 7 Opera and Classical Music Summer Festivals

During the summer months in the northern hemisphere, most classical music organisms like theaters, orchestral groups, chamber music associations and opera companies take a few months of hiatus from their programmed seasons. In these months European and American concertgoers, musicians and producers focus on the multiple exciting opportunities which festivals...

Opera & Concert Scrapbooks: A Window to the Past – The Biggest One Yet?

In the 19th and early 20th century, people who regularly attended opera, music concerts and theater performances many times kept a scrapbook with clippings from programs. Keeping the full program from performances demanded space and especial care, so using a good pair of scissors to cut out the cast page...

Wagner vs Verdi – Brain vs Heart? You Decide

The Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich, Germany is organizing two parades on June 28th, 2013, part of the celebration of both composer´s birth bicentennial (yes, both were born in 1813, Verdi in La Roncole, near Busetto, in today´s Italy and Wagner in Leipzig (...in the Jewish quarter of the city!), Germany). This is what they say...

Farewell to conductor Colin Davis

Colin Davis, one of England’s premier musical talents, passed away in the spring of 2013. He left behind countless recordings of compositions that covered a breadth of composers in a career that spanned decades and continents. Conducting Career Sir Colin Rex Davis was not supposed to be a conductor. When...

Farewell to: Van Cliburn, American Classical Pianist

Van Cliburn, one of America’s most famous pianists, unfortunately passed away in 2013. He left behind a legacy of storied musical achievements, humanitarianism, and a competition that draws young pianists to this day, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Musical Achievements Cliburn was born on July 12, 1934, in Louisiana....

Farewell to Wolfgang Sawallisch, German Conductor

The prolific German conductor, Wolfgang Sawallisch, left us on February 22, 2013. He left behind many recordings, particularly of his beloved Strauss, and made an impact on several orchestras across the globe. Early Life Wolfgang Sawallisch was born on August 26, 1923, in Munich, Germany. He was passionate about music...

Vintage Composer Toy Music Boxes by ANRI Toriart, Italy!

One very cute article that some collectors love is the famous set of composer toy music boxes by the company ANRI Toriart, Italy. Another company called Reuge (recognized as the leader in "the art of mechanical music") from Switzerland created the inside music box. Each bust sits on a solid Oak base that...

Porgy & Bess World Premiere Program & Score, 1935

With music by George Gershwin (1898-1937), libretto by DuBose Heyward and lyrics also by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin, Porgy and Bess was world premiered at the Colonial Theater in Boston on September 30th, 1935. A rare program from that performance is here The same year, the full score was published,...

Farewell to Roger Gross (1938-2013)

We received the sad news that our dear friend and colleague Roger Gross passed away. Roger died peacefully at his home last Friday, January 4th, 2013. He was not only a truly wonderful person but someone worldwide admired for his deep knowledge of opera and classical music and the business of music memorabilia. We...

Farewell to Lisa Della Casa, Galina Vishnevskaya & Charles Rosen

Farewell to Lisa Della Casa Lisa Della Casa lived for music until she passed away in 2012 at the age of 93. The stunning Swiss soprano astonished audiences in Europe and the United States with her beauty, subtle stage presence, and the power of her singing voice. A Star Is...

Farewell to Hans Werner Henze (1926-2012)

Hans Werner Henze, one of continental Europe’s most influential 20th century composers, left us in 2012. Hans Henze’s expansive oeuvre of politically charged operas, ballets, and other classical works lives on. Musical Influence Henze’s body of work is known for its breadth of musical influences. Throughout his long, storied life,...

THE AUTOGRAPH BLOG

Farewell to Claudio Abbado (1933-2014)

Trapp Family Chorus Signed Program – Back 63 Years Later

TOP 7 Opera and Classical Music Summer Festivals

Opera & Concert Scrapbooks: A Window to the Past – The Biggest One Yet?

Wagner vs Verdi – Brain vs Heart? You Decide

Farewell to conductor Colin Davis

Farewell to: Van Cliburn, American Classical Pianist

Farewell to Wolfgang Sawallisch, German Conductor

Vintage Composer Toy Music Boxes by ANRI Toriart, Italy!

Porgy & Bess World Premiere Program & Score, 1935

Farewell to Roger Gross (1938-2013)

Farewell to Lisa Della Casa, Galina Vishnevskaya & Charles Rosen

Farewell to Hans Werner Henze (1926-2012)

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