Singers - Autograph Manuscripts ($100 - $250)

Italian soprano (1824-?). Autograph letter signed, dated in 1859, 1 page of text on the first page of a 4 page folded document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.25 x 8 inches, small tear on the right of the back pages without text, otherwise in excellent condition.

Famous American soprano (1864-1903), admired by Massenet and Saint-Saens. Among other roles, she was the first Thais in the world premiere at the Palais Garnier in Paris in 1894. Autograph note signed on both sides of a 2-sided 3.25 x 5 inch card with her initials as letterhead on top left, in excellent condition. Written in French, sold untranslated. Also included: unsigned cabinet photograph, shown as herself, photo by Charles Reutlinger, Paris. Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, small cracks on top right and left and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in very good condition.  Not sold seperately. 

Italian bass (1798-?), appeared in the world premiere performances of Donizetti's Marina Faliero. Autograph letter signed (signed as "V. Santini"), first 2 pages of a 4-page document, dated in 1832, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5 x 8 inches, tear on the back 2 pages without text, otherwise in excellent condition with bold and clear handwriting.

English baritone and composer (1834-1922), composed music under the pseudonym "Ralph Betterton". 1 Autograph letter signed, 1 page, dated in 1892, size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.  Also included: Autographed musical quote written on a 3.5 x 8.25 album page, signed by him in New York, dated in 1891, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

English baritone and composer (1834-1922), composed music under the pseudonym Ralph Betterton. 2-bar autograph music quote from Haendel's opera "Acis and Galatea" with the lyrics "Oh ruddier than the cherry" signed by him and dated on Oct 24, 1903.  Size is 8.5 x 10.6 inches, in overall excellent condition. On the verso, there is a curious autograph inscribed by a certain Frank Lincoln, dated in Cape Town on June 1, 1891; plus another signature belonging to Frank Wheeler, dated 1891.

Belgian soprano (1834-1907) (whose name is also spelled as "Marie Sass"), who performed in the French premiere of Tannhauser (1861), L’ Africaine (1865) and Don Carlo (1867).  Autograph letter signed, embossed, composed in Neuilly, France, 2 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 3.75 x 6 inches, in excellent condition. Also included: unsigned vintage print, shown in role, in a portrait. Size is 7 x 9 inches, slight rust but in otherwise good condition. Not sold separately. 

Austrian-American soprano (1879-1954), autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written on both sides of a 2 -sided 4.5 x 6.5 inch embossed card, written in English, dated in 1923. Several small bullet holes on the top, otherwise in excellent condition. 

German soprano (1848-1917). Autograph letter signed, written in Frankfurt, dated in 1883. 2 pages, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 4.25 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

Star German contralto (1861-1936), who had a very successful international career and was remarkable in her interpretations of Wagnerian roles, performing several times at Bayreuth Festival, and many other important opera theaters.  Autograph letter signed, 1 page of text on a set of 4 pages taken from the front section of a published biography of her, the letter is in English and dated in 1933. Bold handwriting and signature. Size of each page is 5.5 x 8.5 inches, slight rust on the left edge, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED: 1 signed program from a 1923 concert featuring her and other artists at Boston's Symphony Hall, mostly the complete program but missing the front cover. Size of each page is 5.5 x 8.5 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

Polish coloratura soprano (1858-1935), who had a brilliant career mostly at the early years of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and at the Royal Opera House in London. Autograph music quote signed, possibly of music compsed by the great Polish pianist and composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski, signed on a 3.5 x 4.5 inch card mounted onto a 7 x 8.5 inch document. Vintage historic item in excellent condition!

Bohemian soprano/mezzo-soprano (1848-1928). Autograph letter signed as "Theresina Singer de Simens", no date. Written in two pages, in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition.

German contralto (1857-1893), often remembered for her performances of Johannes Brahms' works. Autograph letter in German signed by her, dated in Wiesbaden October 19, 1887, addressed to a gentleman, concerning her fees for singing in Lausanne: “…Ich erlaube mir Ihnen Ihre Anfrage vom 17 d. zu erwieden, dass Ihre Permuhlung ich sänge in mehreren Konzerten in Lausanne wahrscheinlich auf einem Irsthume beruht. Herr R. Spiess hat sich vor Kurzem an mich gewendet, ob ich gerne einmal in Lausanne sänge, worauf ich ihm besahend antwortete, und ihm meine Honorärbedingungen ein sandte…”. Translation: “…I take the liberty of replying to your inquiry of the 17th that your belief that I sing in several concerts in Lausanne is probably based on an error. Mr. R. Spiess recently asked me if I would like to sing in Lausanne, to which I replied and sent him my fee conditions…”. Size is 4.9 x 7.8 inches each page, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, craeses, in overall very good condition.

Austrian bass (1807-1861), prominent in the mid-nineteenth century with an active international career, especially in London.  Autograph musical quote signed in Liverpool, dated in 1847. Quote is on a well preserved 4.5 x 7-inch page, mounted on a larger album page of 7 x 11 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1844-1915). Autograph letter signed, 2 pages of text on four-page folded document, written in Italian, sold untranslated, signed as "Elisa Donzelli". Each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, small page on the top right of back 2 pages (no text), otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian soprano, also known as Bina Steffanone or Steffenoni, (1825-1896), sang throughout Europe and in the United States between 1842-1862. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages of text on 4 sided folded document, embossed on the front page, composed in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 5.25 x 8 inches, very slight tear at top of last two pages, otherwise in excellent condition.

Hungarian tenor (1824-1911), great performer in operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and early Verdi. Autograph letter in Italian signed by him as “Fr. Stéger”, dated in Barcelona, Feb. 20, 1872, to his impresario Giuseppe Lamperti (1834-1898) in Milan, about his conditions for singing in Odessa: “...cinquemila franchi in oro mensili, ed una mezza serata netta di spese. Se potrai arrivare al viaggio [travel refund] mi farai cosa grata...”. This amount seems justified to him, as an impresario from Bucharest having offered him “...20.000 franchi per 5 mesi, con serata e viaggio da Pest 2 persone ; io ne volevo 25.000...”. Barcelona's musical season is looking good, despite a terrible organization,”...un caos da perdere la testa...”. He mentioned the success achieved in Valencia by the opera troupe led by Costantino Dall’Argine, etc. Size is 5.25 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), creases, dust stains, in overall very good condition. Four lines of text below his signature, written by another unidentified hand, with signature.

American contralto (1841-1904). Autograph note signed, signed as "Antoinette Sterling MacKinlay", reflecting her 1874 marriage to John Mackinlay. 4-page folded document (each page is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, unfolded item is 3.5 x 8.75 inches) written in English, in excellent condition.

French mezzo-soprano star of the Paris Opera (1815-1903), who appeared in the world premiere productions of Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini, and Donizetti's La Favorite among others. Autograph note signed, 1 page, composed in French, and sold untranslated. Size is 3.75 x 5.25 inches, small creases and folds, otherwise in very good condition.

French mezzo-soprano star of the Paris Opera (1815-1903), who appeared in the world premiere productions of Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini, Donizetti's La Favorite among others. Autograph letter signed, composed in French, and sold untranslated. 3 pages of a folded 4-page document, each page is 4 x 5 inches, small stains on the first 2 pages, slightly larger on final page, otherwise in very good condition.

French mezzo-soprano star of the Paris Opera (1815-1903), who appeared in the world premiere productions of Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini, Donizetti's La Favorite among others. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1852, composed in French, 3 pages of a folded 4-page document, each page 6 x 8.5 inches (unfolded item is 8.5 x 12 inches), embossed at top of the first page, slight tear on the back page otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a handwritten English translation, written on both sides of 2 sheets with 4 pages of text in total, 6.5 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1876-1945) who starred in the world premiere of operas by Puccini (as Madama Butterfly), Leoncavallo (as Zaza and Mimi in his La Boheme), Mascagni (as Lodoletta) and Giordano. Autograph letter signed, dated in July 1907, to a friend. In Italian, about some theater-related business, sold untranslated. One page, size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches. ALSO INCLUDED is a photo of her, 5 x 7 inches, all in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1876-1945) who starred in the world premiere of operas by Puccini (as Madama Butterfly), Leoncavallo (as Zaza and Mimi in his La Boheme), Mascagni (as Lodoletta) and Giordano. Set of 2 autograph letters signed, both dated in Buenos Aires in 1914, each are 2 pages, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each is 5.5 x 8.75 inches, in very good condition. Not sold separately. 

Czech-born American impresario (1825-1887). Autograph note signed in English, including Maria Piccolomini’s handwritten text at the top, dated 1859. One page, sized 4.75 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

Autograph music quote signed by the Austrian tenor (1858-1937), who focused mostly on operetta. Music quote from The Gypsy Baron, signed by him. Streitmann wrote under the quote "Friendly memories from the 1000th representation of the Gypsy Baron", Vienna 1909. One page, 8 x 8 inches, dated in Vienna in 1909, in excellent condition.

German soprano (1847-1927). Autograph letter signed, written in Berlin, dated in 1896. Item consists of 2 sets of 4 folded pages, text is on the first 5 of these 8 pages. Written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 5.75 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1860-?). Autograph letter signed, written on a postcard, postmarked in 1895. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, slight stain near the bottom, otherwise in very good condition.

French bass-baritone (1821-1900), and also a creator of songs, and a regular performer at the famous Theatre Italien in Paris. Set of 2 autograph letters signed, first of them is 1 page, size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, some paper loss at bottom left and several bullet holes, otherwise in good condition. The second letter is 3 pages, 5.25 x 8.25 inches which also contains several bullet holes and tears but is otherwise in good condition. Both written in French and sold untranslated. Not sold separately. 

French bass-baritone (1821-1900), and also a creator of songs, and a regular performer at the famous Theatre Italien in Paris. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

French tenor (1851-1896), strongly associated with the French repertoire, and creator of the main tenor roles in Les Contes d´Hoffmann, Lakme, and Manon. His personal card signed by him with a short sentiment in French. Size is 4 x 2.3 inches, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition.

Star Italian tenor (1850-1905), chosen by Verdi for the title role in the world premiere of Otello in 1887. He also was one of the first Italian tenors to have left recordings. Set of 1 autograph letter signed, 2 pages on both sides of a 5.25 x 8.25 inch sheet, written in Italian, sold untranslated, and 1 unsigned half-tone 4 x 5.25 inch photograph, shown as himself, a photo by E. Fontana. Both in excellent condition and not sold separately. 

Star Italian tenor (1850-1905), chosen by Verdi for the title role in the world premiere of Otello in 1887. He also was one of the first Italian tenors to have left recordings. Autograph letter signed, dated in Venice in 1902, signed as "Tamagno" and to an unknown recipient. In French language, sold untranslated. Two pages in one folded sheet, each page is 4.25 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

Acclaimed Italian tenor (1820-1889), originally named Enrico Danieli, who was well known for his command of very high notes and powerful voice, and creator of the role of Don Alvaro in the world premiere of Verdi's La Forza del Destino in 1862. Autograph letter signed by him, about personal matters, to an unknown nobleman, dated in 1866. In French, with a translation included. Two pages on a folded sheet, with his initials as letterhead on the first page, each one is 4 x 5 inches, mounting traces on the last page, otherwise in excellent condition.

Acclaimed Italian tenor (1820-1889), originally named Enrico Danieli, who was well known for his command of very high notes and powerful voice, and creator of the role of Don Alvaro in the world premiere of Verdi's La Forza del Destino in 1862.  Autograph letter signed, embossed, dated in 1873. 4 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 3.5 x 5.25inches, in excellent condition.

Acclaimed Italian tenor (1820-1889), originally named Enrico Danieli, who was well known for his command of very high notes and powerful voice, and creator of the role of Don Alvaro in the world premiere of Verdi's La Forza del Destino in 1862.  Autograph letter signed by him, about personal matters, to Marie Therese Fechter, dated in June 1880. Written in French, with a typed transcription included, but no translation. Three pages on a folded sheet, each one is 5 x 8 inches, mounting traces on the last page, otherwise in excellent condition.

Acclaimed Italian tenor (1820-1889), originally named Enrico Danieli, who was well known for his command of very high notes and powerful voice, and creator of the role of Don Alvaro in the world premiere of Verdi's La Forza del Destino in 1862. ALSO INCLUDED are 2 carte de visite photos (CDVs) of Tamberlink, one by photographer Disderi, Paris, the other by Pierre Petit, Paris. Sized 2.5 x 4 inches.  

French baritone and voice teacher (1853-1897), who appeared in the world premiere productions of  Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Delibes' Jean de Nivelle, Massenet's Manon and Esclarmonde, Pessard's Le Capitaine Fracasse and Saint Saens' Proserpine.  Autograph letter signed, dated in 1886, 3 pages of text on 4 folded pages, signed as "A. Taskin", written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4.75 x 7.75 inches. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned concert program of operatic and ballet scenes, dedicated to him, presented by the Paris Opera-Comique, his main theatrical home in December 1901. 4 pages, 8 x 10 inches. Both items in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

Italian dramatic coloratura soprano (1871-1940), Italian tenor (1870-1940), Italian baritone (1876-1950), all leading opera stars of the early twentieth century and famous Italian opera impresario (1869-1940), who was the manager of La Scala (1898-1908) and the Met Opera for 27 years (1908-1935).  Beautiful postcard showing a seaside view of Trieste with signatures from each of these great artists. Signatures on verso. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, small tear on bottom left and small crack near the middle of image, not affecting signatures, otherwise in very good condition. 

Star Italian coloratura soprano (1871-1940) of great international fame. An album page signed and dated by her in 1934 as a souvenir for her farewell tour in London. Size is 6.9 x5.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Famous English soprano (1888-1976). Lot of 3 autograph notes signed, sent to Saturday Review magazine editor Roland Gelatt, who had asked her to review Sergius Kagan's book "On Studying Singing" for his publication. The 3 autographed notes include one 4 page text on 2 folded pages, 5.5 x 6.75 inches, written in San Francisco, one 1 page note written in London, dated in 1950, sized at 5.25 x 7 inches, and another 1-page note, also dated in 1950, written on the "R.M.S. Queen Mary" ship stationary, 5.25 x 6.75 inches, all in excellent condition.  ALSO INCLUDED is Teyte's 3-page typed review of the book, 8.25 x 10.75 inches, with some creases on the carbon paper not affecting the text and 4 typed 1-page notes, dated in July-August 1950, sent to Teyte, (unsigned but presumably from Roland Gelatt) asking her to write the review and following up with publication details. Each of these notes is 5.5 x 8.5 inches, with slight creases on corners but in generally very good condition.  SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.    

Celebrated French tenor (1897-1984). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1981, to a gentleman: “…Je vous adresse une photographie prise à La Scala de Milan lors d’une représentation de la Fille du Far West. André Balbon est une de mes plus anciennes connaissances dans la profession lyrique, j’ai du le connaître en 1920…” Fine typed letter signed by him, dated 1935, to a gentleman, thanking him for his compliments and sending a picture. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French opera singer (1834-1906), composer, pianist, and organist, widowed to Roland de Cossé in 1871, Marquis de Brissac, she remarried in 1872 to Count Christian de Trédern. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated in Château de Brissac, October 12, addressed to a lady: “…Seriez-vous libre de venir passer une huitaine de jours à Brissac, entre le 22 et le 30 Octobre; j’ai besoin de travailler des choses que je dois chanter au concert de Eugéne d’Harcourt…”. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 1 page, folds, creases, in overall excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an autograph letter signed “Van Ghill”, no date. A lady states: “…emplâtre sur la poitrine!!!!!!! très fatigué!!!! beaucoup d’irritation!! pas consignant pas possible de chanter…”. 1 p. In-8. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French bass (1836-1871), created the role of Capulet in the world premiere production of Gounod's Romeo et Juliette. Autograph letter signed, 4 pages, dated in Paris in 1866, written in French and sold untranslated. Clear and bold handwriting and signature. Each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, folds and several bullet holes, in otherwise very good condition. 

American tenor (1913-1975), major star of the Metropolitan Opera in Italian opera repertoire for 30 years.  Autograph letter signed, 2 pages written in English on the letterhead of the Hotel Quirinale, in Rome in 1970. Contains a lot of interesting information regarding his upcoming scheduled performances as well as his overall availability. Size is 7.5 x 11 inches, in excellent condition. 

French soprano and composer (1829-1910). Autograph letter signed by her, written in French (sold untranslated), no date. Size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, 2 written page in one sheet, folds, in excellent condition.

French soprano and composer (1829-1910). Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written in French and sold untranslated. Signature is on the bottom of the first page but there is some additional text on the following page. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, very small tear at the very top of each page (outside of the written area), but otherwise  in excellent condition.

Belgian tenor (1877-1935), signed text quote on an 6 x 9.25 inch album page, dated in 1896. Unusual vintage item in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1825-1882). Autograph letter signed, 2 pages of a folded 4-page document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned playbill for a recital concert in 1872 accompanied by her husband, pianist Eduardo Vera. Size is 7.75 x 10.5 inches, in excellent condition.

German soprano (1802-1877), born Katharina Sigl, with the last name Vespermann reflecting her marriage to the baritone Wilhelm Vespermann in 1827.  Autograph note signed written in Paris in 1831, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition.