Singers - Autograph Manuscripts ($100 - $250)

French tenor (1839-1924). Lot of 3 signed autograph letters in French (sold untranslated) and one signed autograph note. 1 letter is dated in New York, 1883; the others have no date and no location. The largest letter size is 6.75 x 9.75 inches, others are 4.5 x 7 or 5.5 x 8 inches, note is 3 x 4.5 inches, all are in excellent condition. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French tenor (1839-1924). Set of 2 autograph letters signed, 1 page each, written in French (sold untranslated). 1 letter written at the Grand Hotel in Paris, dated in 1887, the other has no date and no location. The first letter is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, small crease on the top left, otherwise in excellent condition. The other undated letter is  4.5 x 7.25 inches and in excellent condition.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian tenor (1832-1889) who sang leading roles throughout Europe. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1871, addressed to the impresario Innocenzo Canedi commenting about engagements to perform in Naples and Cairo.  Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and verso), folds, overall rust, in very good condition.

Italian tenor (1832-1889) who sang leading roles throughout Europe. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Naples, 1878 addressed to Mr. Eustachio in Naples, concerning the 1878 performance of the opera Cleopatra at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, commenting also on other performances. Size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, 4 written pages, folds, creases, in very good condition.

Italian baritone (1846-1917). Autograph note written in Italian signed by the baritone and dated in Milan 1889. Note is written on a postcard, attractive handwriting, and signature.  Size is 3.25 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Star Italian soprano, actress and monologist (1874-1944) who had a celebrated career in both the U.S and Europe.  Autograph note signed, with embossed letterhead, 3 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.5 x 7 inches, in very good condition. Also included: unsigned photograph, shown as herself, contains both printed and blind stamped signature of photographer Aime Dupont, size is 5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

Star Italian soprano, actress and monologist (1874-1944) who had a celebrated career in both the U.S and Europe.  Set of 4 autograph letters signed, 1 with embossed letterhead, the others on official hotel stationary. These range from 4 to 8 pages in length (two are 7 pages long), all written in Italian, sold untranslated. Sizes range from 5.25 x 7.25 inches to 6.75 x 8.25 inches, all in very good condition. Not sold separately, only as a lot. 

Romanian soprano (1910-1949), considered one of the biggest stars in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, and Strauss operas.  Set of 1 8.25 x 11.75 inch Autograph Letter Signed, dated in Berlin in 1940 with embossed name, and 1 4 x 5.75 inch Autograph Note signed, dated in 1945, both 1 page each, written in German and sold untranslated, along with an unsigned 4-page 7.5 x 10 inch program for a November 1936 performance at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, of Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier featuring the soprano as Sophie von Faninal and conducted by Karl Bohm. All in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

Romanian soprano (1910-1949), considered one of the biggest stars in Europe during the '30s and '40s, particularly in Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, and Strauss operas.  Printed personal score of the aria "Un bel dí vedremmo" from Act 2 of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, signed on the front cover (top) by her and handwritten lyrics in German (black fountain ink) and in Romanian (blue fountain ink) by her (not shown in pictures).  Size is 10.25 x 13.5 inches, 6 pages, loose covers with some cracks, folds, central fold, loss of paper over upper right corner; inner pages are in very good condition, with some cracks.

French soprano (1824-1892), appeared in the world premiere productions of Berlioz's Beatrice et Benedict and Les Troyens.  Autograph note signed with embossed letterhead, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4 x 5.25 inches, in very good condition. 

French baritone (1798-1892). Autograph letter signed, 1 page written in French, sold untranslated. Bold and clear signature. Size is 5.25 x 7.75 inches, a rare item in very good condition!

French soprano (1801-1863), later teacher, particularly associated with Rossini roles and also operas by Meyerbeer and Auber - Cinti-Damoreau world premiered several operas for them including Rossini's Le Comte Omry, Guillaume Tell, Maometto II, Mose in Egitto, and Il Viaggo a Reims, Auber's Le Domino Noir and La Muette de Portici and Meyerbeer's Robert Le Diable.  Set of 2 autograph letter signed, in French (untranslated), both 1 pages in length, one of these dated in 1848, size is 4 x 5.25 inches, the other is on a larger sheet of 8.25 x 11 inches, dated in 1838, very clear handwriting with much of the text possibly written by another hand but with her clear signature, some rust on the far edges of the sheet but not affecting text or signature.  Not sold separately. Rare vintage items!

American mezzo-soprano/contralto (1878-1934), who toured worldwide immensely, and greatly helped raise funds for charity causes, later in life became a teacher. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1929, responding to a potential student, two pages in separate sheets, in English, each one is 5.75 x 7.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1898-1948). Autograph letter in Italian (sold untranslated) signed by her, to her mother Maria updating her on her career, dated 1938.  Size is 4.75 x 6.6 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

Italian baritone (1811-1894), one of the three leading Italian baritones of nineteenth-century Italy, and performed in the world premiere productions of works by Verdi and Donizetti. Autograph note signed, written in Italian (sold untranslated). Size is 4 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian baritone (1831-1918) of the first magnitude, regarded internationally as one of the greatest male opera singers of the 19th century. Fine and long autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated in London, 1870, addressed to a colleague excusing himself for not being able to be part of a concert due to family concerns in Rome, and other personal issues (plus two extra letters addressed to close friends at the end).  Size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, 4 written pages, folds, creases, evident wear, in overall very good condition.

Italian baritone (1831-1918) of the first magnitude, regarded internationally as one of the greatest male opera singers of the 19th century. Fine autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Venice, 1872, where he mentions his upcoming professional plans, requesting also to his addressee the possibility of a song to be dedicated to him.  Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages, folds, in overall very good condition.

Italian soprano (1886-1972). Autograph letter signed. 4 pages on 2 sheets of paper. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 8.4 x 10 inches, beautifully preserved in excellent condition.

Romanian soprano (1886-1960). Handwritten autobiography, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Fifteen pages of text on five sheets of paper, most double-sided, with three storage holes at the top of each page. Size is 5.75 x 8 inches, small stain at the bottom of the first page not affecting the text, otherwise in very good condition.  ALSO INCLUDED are four small photo clips ranging in size from 1.5 x 2.9 inches to 2.75 x 4.3 inches, shown both as herself and in role (not scanned).  

French mezzo-soprano (1882-1946), and singing teacher whose best-known pupils were Janine Micheau and Gerard Souzay. Set of three autograph letters in French signed by her, two of them dated 1926 and 1943, addressed to the composer Émile Passani (1905-1974) and composer and music critic Henri Woollett (1864-1936), about personal and professional matters.  Different sizes, lenghts, in very good condition or better. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Austrian soprano (1853-1907), who sang the role of Amelia in the premiere of the revised version of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra in 1881. Autograph letter signed, written on all four pages of a folded document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 4.5 x 7 inches (unfolded document is 7 x 8.75 inches), vintage historical item in excellent condition!

Italian dramatic soprano, active in the 1880s and 1890s who starred in the role of Nefta/Suor Clotilde in the world premiere performances of Alberto Franchetti's Asrael in 1888. Autograph letter signed, dated in Florence in 1876, 3 pages written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.5 x 8.25 inches, unfolded total size is 8.25 x 10.75 inches, small tear on the top right of last pages, otherwise in excellent condition. 

English singer and musician who also played flute and harpsichord (1743 or 1744-1818). Autograph letter signed, dated in Naples in 1772, 3 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Each page is 7.5 x 9.25 inches, total unfolded item is 9.25 x 14 inches, small tear on the left side of back pages (not including any text), as well as tape residue, and small stains on front pages, otherwise in very good condition.

Italian baritone (1819-1881), especially known for his Verdi roles, appeared in the world premiere productions of that composer's I Due Foscari, Il Corsaro, Luisa Miller, and La Forza del Destino. Signed album page, dated in 1855, bold handwriting and signature. Size is 9.25 x 12.5 inches. Very rare vintage item in excellent condition!

French soprano (1824-1905), who was the first Traviata in the USA. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1865, Madrid, written in French and sold with translation. Size 5.25 x 8.25 inches, four pages, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1870-1909). Signed postcard, written in Italian (sold untranslated). Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Spanish baritone Mariano De Padilla (1842-1906). Autograph music quote signed from Rossini's Barbiere di Siviglia, dated in 1882, on 2.75 x 4.25 card in excellent condition.  ALSO INCLUDED is a signed card from his daughter French-Spanish soprano Lola Artot de Padilla (1876-1933), one of the most important sopranos in Germany during the early years of the 20th century, written in Baden-Baden, 2.5 x 4.25 inches, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Polish bass (1853-1917), one of the leading singers at the Metropolitan Opera of New York. A short note in English handwritten by the singer and signed by him on his business card: “…Bearer is a friend of mine and colleague. Will please pass him & oblige…”.  Size is 4 x 2.5 inches, big crease across, overall rust tone, in overall very good condition.

Italian tenor (1875-1939). Autograph letter signed, written on the stationary of the Grand Hotel Central in Argentina, dated in 1911. 1 page written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 8 x 10.75 inches, some rust on edges and borders, but text is very clear with bold handwriting and signature. Very rare and unique historical item!

French bass (1808-1880), who possessed a rich deep voice that had a great carrying power. Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated June 27, 1849, addressed to Master Tailor and Costume Designer of the Royal Academy of Music in Paris, asking him to send him costumes for the Venice carnival of 1849. Size is 5.2 x 8.4 inches, 4 written pages, creases, some rust stain, in overall very good condition.

American soprano (1851-1941). Autograph letter signed, dated in Paris in 1872. Written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5 x 8.25 inches, two pages, in excellent condition.

Famous French tenor, teacher and composer (1806-1896), creator of the role of Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor in 1835. Signed contract for teaching at the famous "Ecole Spéciale de Chant"; the pupil, Raoul Fauquez is well known and had a career in the Théâtre-Lyrique and Opéra-Comique in Paris under the name of Coppel. Four pages, 7 x 9.75 inches, signed on the last page, dated 1868. See scans of each of the four pages by clicking on the photo thumbnails.

American soprano (1865-1952), admired for her beautiful voice, had a very successful career in New York, London and Paris. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages written in English, size of each page is 4.75 x 7.75 inches, in excellent condition. Also included: 2 unsigned photographs of her in role, one in color is 4.25 x 6 inches, the other 4 x 6.75 inch black and white photo is stamped on verso by Culver Service Photos, New York. All are in excellent condition, not sold separately.   

American soprano (1865-1952), admired for her beautiful voice, had a very successful career in New York, London, and Paris. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1910. 1 page written in English. Size is 6 x 7.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American soprano (1865-1952), admired for her beautiful voice, had a very successful career in New York, London, and Paris. Autograph letter with the letterhead of the Hotel Touraine (Boston) signed by her as Emma Eames De Gogorza, dated February 21st, 1914, about her upcoming schedule. Size is 5.4 x 8.4 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet,  ALSO INCLUDED is a transcription of the letter (not shown).

Collection of five autographed signature cuts by five leading stars and personalities associated with the earliest days of the Metropolitan Opera during the early to mid 1880's. Includes performers Autuste Vianesi, Louise Lablache, Marcella Sembrich, and Sofia Scalchi, as well as General Manager Maurice Grau. Sizes range from 4 x 1.8 inches to 4.5 x 2.6 inches. All have very clear handwriting and signatures and are in extremely good, well-preserved condition, making for a very rare and valuable historical collection. See scans - not sold individually.

Leading German tenor (1877-1958), created roles for several works by Pfitzner and other modern operas. Autograph note signed by him, in German, 1 page, dated in Ravensburg -his birthplace - in 1949. Sold untranslated. Size is 6 x 8.25 inches, has folds, in excellent condition. Also included: unsigned photo postcard, shown as Loge in Wagner's Das Rheingold. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Famous French tenor (1859-1940), well-known in his time for his performances of heroic roles in French and Italian opera.  Signed record label for a recording he made of the aria "La Mia Letizia" from Verdi's I Lombardi. Size is 3 x 3 inches, in excellent condition. Autographs of Escalais are very scarce so this is a quite valuable vintage item!

Set of 2 signed album pages one from the Belgian baritone Camille Everardi (1824-1899), dated in 1858, the other signed by his wife Georgette, a Belgian soprano (1831-1887) signed in St. Petersburg, also in 1858. Each page is 9.25 x 13 inches in size with very small tears at both the top and some sides of the page but not affecting the text and signature. Rare vintage items not sold separately!

French soprano (1886-1941); considered the queen of operetta in her days. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by her.  Size is 7 x 8.8 inches, 1 sheet, folds, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a print of the soprano shown young, with a printed text and a printed signature below.  Size is 7.1 x 10.7 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian baritone (1819-1891), who created roles in several world opera premieres, including Verdi's Il Giorno di Regno. Autograph letter signed, with additional writing by another hand at the top of the first page and throughout the second page, with Ferlotti's text and signature at the bottom of the first page. 2 pages, written on both sides of a 6 x 8.5 inch document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Some rust at the bottom of the document but in generally good condition. 

Italian baritone (1818-1881). Autograph letter signed, one page, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Norwegian soprano (1895-1962), one of the greatest Wagnerian dramatic singers of the 20th century. Signed album page, dated in 1950, addressed to Gerald Fitzgerald, who later became an associate editor of the Metropolitan Opera Guild's Opera News magazine from 1960-1990 and a well-known figure in American opera. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 4 x 6.25 inches, small creases and bends, otherwise in very good condition. 

German bass (1815-1889) who had a long international career especially in Germany, London and New York, sang in the world premiere of several operas, notably Flotow's Martha. Autograph note signed, dated in 1858. 1 page written in German (sold untranslated). Size is 5 x 8 inches, small tear at bottom of the page, not affecting any of the writing or signature. Otherwise in excellent condition. 

German bass (1815-1889), whose important career focused on opera and oratorio. Set of 2 short notes in German on album pages signed by him (one of them also signed by his wife) adding a music quote in one of them. Size is 7 x 8.8 inches each, 1 page each, irregular borders, both in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

French bass-baritone (1861-1933), who starred in the world premiere of Massenet's Thais and many other operas. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1910. Size is 4.75 x 6.25 inches, one page, in excellent condition.  

North African-born tenor of Swiss and Spanish heritage ( 1846-1937) also known as "Joseph Frapolli". Signed 3.75 x 6.25 inch card (signed as "J. Frapolli"), bold handwriting and signature. Also included: unsigned photograph, shown as himself, size is 2.5 x 3.75 inches, in very good condition. Not sold separately. 

Italian tenor (1816-1887), who sung at the world premieres of Donizetti's Caterina Cornaro, and Verdi's Alzira, Il Corsaro, La Battaglia di Legnano, Stiffelio and Un Ballo in Maschera. One of Verdi's favorite tenors, considered the most prominent singer who facilitated the transition from Donizetti to Verdi. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1872, written in Italian, two pages. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, beautiful vintage item, excellently preserved in excellent condition.