The Autographs and Collectible Memorabilia Blog

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, also known as Chopin Funeral March (which is actually only a part of this sonata), was composed between the years 1837 and 1839. The work was completed...

Autographed Guitars - A Sound Investment in Signed Collectibles

Many fans love to have an autographed guitar, that is, 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...

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, the career of Michael Rabin was cut extremely short. He died at...

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...

Hugo Wolf – The Great Austrian Composer of Songs

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 Away 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...

Alberto Ginastera: A Life In Music

EARLY LIFE Alberto Evaristo Ginastera was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1916. Ginastera is called the greatest Argentinian composer of classical music. He is universally hailed as one of the leading figures of Argentinian twentieth century art-music. Furthermore, alongside his Brazilian colleague, Heitor Villa-Lobos, he achieved a level of...

The Birth of the Metropolitan Opera of New York: Opening Night

THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC In 1883, the year the Met opened, New Yorkers were used to attending opera in another capacious lyric theater and enjoying performances given by a starry opera company. The Academy of Music on 14th Street boasted a flamboyant impresario, Colonel James H. Mapleson, and a roster...

Giuseppe Verdi: A Life...in Color!

When it comes to Italian opera, few names have had such an impact as Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901). Considered one of the greatest composers of his generation, and probably of all times, Verdi is the author of opera classics like La Traviata, Aida, and Rigoletto, just to name a few. ...

William Kapell: Honest American Pianist of All Time

There are hundreds of great pianists from all parts of the world. But depending on their performance and composition, some are at the top of the game. Among the renowned American pianists, William Kapell tops the list. In his professional career, Kapell seemed to have the combined qualities of greatest...

THE AUTOGRAPH BLOG

Pablo de Sarasate: The Prodigy from Navarra

Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy - A Visit

Cecile Chaminade - French Composer and Pianist

Facsimile Autograph: How to Detect Printed Signatures

Frederic Chopin: The Funeral March Story

Autographed Guitars - A Sound Investment in Signed Collectibles

Hermann Levi: A Champion of Progress and Tradition

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

Michael Rabin – America’s First Teen Violin Sensation

Photo Top Loaders - Safely Store your Collectible Autographs

Giacomo Puccini and the World Premiere of La Bohème

Maria Callas Debut at The Metropolitan Opera

Hugo Wolf – The Great Austrian Composer of Songs

Ultimate Autographs - 10 Things that Make a Signed Photo Perfect

Grace Moore: The Tennessee Nightingale

Edita Gruberova – Famed Coloratura Soprano Passes Away at 74

Vaslav Nijinsky and Diaghilev: The Famous Paris Debut 1909

Strange Things that Celebrities Sign - With Photos

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

Best Modern Opera Houses of the World

Alberto Ginastera: A Life In Music

The Birth of the Metropolitan Opera of New York: Opening Night

Giuseppe Verdi: A Life...in Color!

William Kapell: Honest American Pianist of All Time

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