Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

Italian mezzo-soprano (1821-1896) known for her fine voice, secure technique, and strong temperament. Autograph letter in Italian signed by her, dated in Milan, 1888, to the Chapel master of S. Gaudenzio in Novara, concerning the possibility of hosting a young singer: “…con me non avrebbe il fitto del pianoforte essendo in casa, e potrebbe studiare nelle ore dalla mattina alle 10 e alla sera…” Size is 4.4 x 7 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, overall rust stains, in overall good condition.  Original envelope is INCLUDED.

Celebrated American soprano (1850-1891). Set of 2 autograph letter signed, one dated in Memphis in 1887, 4 folded pages, the other dated in Gloucester in 1882, which is 2 pages in length. Both are in English, with an attractive gold embossment at the top, size of each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, very slight tear on one page of the 1882 letter, otherwise in excellent condition. Also included: very attractive unsigned photograph of her, shown most likely in role, taken by photographer Anderson of Culver Pictures, New York. Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, very small rips and tears on far edges of the item but not affecting the image. Not sold separately. 

Italian soprano (1904-1998), and latterly a singing teacher. Autograph letter signed by her, written in Italian (sold untranslated), no date. Size is 5.25 x 7 inches, 3 written pages in one sheet, storage holes, red crayon and pencil markings over the end by an unidentified hand, in overall excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1904-1998). Autograph letter signed written to La Scala administration, dated in 1963. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 8.5 x 11 inches, in excellent condition.

German baritone (1896-1979), autograph letter signed 2 pages, written in German, sold untranslated, dated in 1962. Composed on both the front and verso of a 8.25 x 11.75 inch document, small bullet holes and folds, otherwise in excellent condition. 

German baritone (1896-1979), autograph note signed 1 page, written in German on embossed letterhead, sold untranslated, dated in 1931. Size is 6.75 x 8.75 inches, several creases and folds, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Slovenian contralto (1927-1985), signed note as Marceline, dated in 1950. Also included an unsigned photo shown as herself. Size is 4 x 5.75 inches. 

Russian soprano (1894-1959). Autograph letter signed by her on a card with her letterhead. Size is 5.25 x 3.5 inches, mounting traces on verso and front, in overall very good condition.

Finnish soprano (1876-1944); who was considered the most renowned Finnish female singer at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated February 20, 1908, where she shares her plans of getting a contract since Giulio Gatti-Casazza will take over the Metropolitan management soon and other professional plans. Size is 5.6 x 7 inches, central fold, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1831-?). Autograph letter in Italian signed by her, dated 1854, to a composer:  "... I am beyond all words sorry not to be able for the autumn season of 1854 to propose to Mr. Pagliano, his beautiful and already approved opera, but since I have already proposed more than one to the above-mentioned, and for which he is already in very close negotiations with the respective owners (...) also for the Carnavale, my impresario has fixed all the operas in perfect agreement with the management of that theater in Verona...".   Size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, overall rust tone, in very good condition. Alajmo performed at Teatro La Fenice in Venice to create the role of Violetta in the premiere of La Traviata in Venice in 1853. Verdi objected and opted for Fanny Salvini-Donatelli. Alajmo later performed this role among many others in her repertoire.

Star Canadian soprano (1847-1930), and one of the leading singers of the late 19th-early 20th centuries. Autograph letter signed, embossed, 3 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

Star Canadian soprano (1847-1930), and one of the leading singers of the late 19th-early 20th century. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, addressed to the Italian soprano Giacinta Toso (1807-1889), arranging an appointment. Size is 3.9 x 5.9 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), in very good condition.

Star Canadian soprano (1847-1930), and one of the leading singers of the late 19th-early 20th centuries. Autograph letter signed, embossed, 3 pages, dated in London in 1912, written in French, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 3.75 x 6 inches, in excellent condition. 

German tenor (1860-1934), autograph note signed, 1 page, dated in Budapest in 1899. Written in German, sold untranslated. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, well preserved in good condition. 

Italian soprano (1825-1898). Autograph letter signed, undated one page. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1827-1898). Set of two autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, one of them dated in Genoa 1855 to the impresario Guffanti discussing fees; and the other dated in Florence, 1871, addressed to Tartaglione, commenting about the operas she would love to sing in future engagements. Both letters are 3 written pages long, different sizes, some loss of paper, rust stains, in overall good condition (see scans provided for details). ALSO INCLUDED is a receipt signed by her, dated in Verona, 1856, for Austrian £7000. Size is 4.3 x 7.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian mezzo-soprano/contralto (1826-1894), also known as Marietta Alboni-Pepoli.  Signed album page, inscribed and dated in Paris, 1860, plus a photo of her attached at the top.  Album page is mounted on a mat of 11.8 x 15.75 inches (can be easily removed), mounted with photo corners.  Actual album page is 8.5 x 12 inches, minor rust stains, otherwise in very good condition.

American tenor (1889-1954), particularly associated with the Metropolitan Opera of New York and for his later career in Wagnerian roles. Typed letter signed on his personal letterhead in New York, dated in 1936. Size is 8.5 x 11 inches, several small creases and small tears, otherwise in good condition.

Italian baritone (1878-1942) who enjoyed an international reputation and sang for 13 years at the Metropolitan Opera. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages of text on a folded 4 page document with embossment on front page, written in English. Size of each page is 5 x 6.5 inches, fold in center, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED: unsigned photo, shown as himself with printed signature on front of photographer C. Mishkin, New York. Size is 4.5 x 8 inches, with a small cut on bottom right and slight paper loss on top left, along with mounting traces on verso, otherwise in good condition. Not sold separately. 

Widely celebrated American contralto Marian Anderson (1897-1993), the first black person, American or otherwise, to perform at the at the Metropolitan Opera and an inspiration to many future African American performers. Signed album page with 1 bar of music from J.S. Bach, dated in 1937.  Also included: verso page contains 4 signatures and accompanying musical quotes by all 4 members of the Aguilar Quartet, a famous Spanish Lute quartet that performed on tour in the 1920s and 30s, dated in 1938. Size is 5.75 x 7.75 inches, in excellent condition. 

American contralto (1897-1993), highly celebrated in her time, being the first black person, American or otherwise, to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.  Printed score for the song "Dearest Night" by Alfred Bachelet, signed by the American contralto on the front cover.  Size is 9 x 11.8 inches, 8 pages including covers, in excellent condition.

Program for a performance of the American contralto with an accompanist in New York, (no year indicated).  Size is 6.1 x 9.1 inches, full program with all pages and covers, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an extra page with her signature. Size is 7 x 9.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American contralto (1897-1993), highly celebrated in her time. The first black person to perform at the Metropolitan Opera and an inspiration to many Afro-American performers.  Signed receipt for the payment of a recital on December 7th, 1934 in Geneve, Switzerland; nicely matted with a photo of her shown young.  Total mat size is 15.25 x 11.3 inches, receipt is 4.75 x 4.25 inches (storage holes), photo is 4.75 x 6.7 inches (visible window size), all in excellent condition.

Norwegian bass (1896-1940), who had an active international career and was especially known for Mozart and Wagnerian roles. Typed letter signed, on the stationary of the Ansonia Hotel in New York in 1930 with the handwritten signature at the bottom of the letter, size is 7.25 x 10.5 inches, small stain outside area of the text, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED: Unsigned postcard photograph, shown in role, a photo by Ursula Richter, Dresden, Size is 3.5 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

Italian tenor (1876-1929), who became famous throughout Europe during the first decade of the 20th century for his stylish performances of lyric roles. Set of two autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated both in 1902. Both of them addressed to the impresario Franco Fano about his performance in Giordano's "Fedora"; the other about the recovery of his wife's illness and other professional matters. Sizes are 4.9 x 7.8 inches and 4.3 x 7 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet each, folds, creases, in very good condition.

Spanish dramatic tenor (1840-1912), performed a wide variety of tenor roles in the leading opera theatres of his time and was particularly acclaimed in London and Milan. Following his retirement in 1900, he founded a record company called "Compania de Impresiones Fonograficas".  Signed album page, dated in Montevideo in 1905. Size is 4.75 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition. Rare!

Italian soprano (1891-1951), signed page on 5.25 x 8.25 inch carbon paper of the Grand Hotel De L'Europe in Salzburg, dated in Salzburg in 1935. Small creases and smudges not affecting the handwriting and signature. Also included: unsigned photo postcard, shown as herself, a photo by F. Rota, Milan, size is 3.4 x 5.25 inches, in very good condition. Not sold separately. 

German soprano (1908-1982), typed letter signed, dated in 1962. 2 pages, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 8.25 x 11.75 inches, in very good condition. 

Belgian mezzo-soprano(1835-1907), daughter of the composer Jean-Désiré Montagney Artôt. Autograph letter in French signed by her, dated June 26, 1873, to the German tenor Bernhard Pollini (1838-1897), concerning performances:  "... Thank you for Hamburg's permission, we will accept a concert in Baden if, like in Hamburg, you are given 2,000 Francs. But it must not be later than the 11th or 12th, for the one in Hamburg is the 7th, and we would not want to lose too much time, just as I should not have to hurry you too much." Size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, two written pages, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a visiting card with autograph lines by the soprano Lola Artôt de Padilla (1876-1933), daughter of Désirée; plus a visiting card of Désirée with an autograph letter to the music critic Maurice Kufferath, inviting him to her house in Brussels.

French-Spanish soprano (1876-1933), one of the most important sopranos in Germany during the early years of the 20th century. She developed her career singing mostly in Germany, and created the role of Octavian in the world premiere of Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier in 1911, among other roles. Autograph note signed, dated in 1917. Written in German on both sides of a 4 x 6 card, in excellent condition.   

Italian baritone (1916-?), autograph note signed with attached half-tone photo, shown as himself (photo is taped onto an album page with signature on the top of the page above the photo).  Additional inscription on verso, dated in 1947 with attractive hand-written drawing of a countryside and river with a boat. Size is 4 x 6 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian baritone (1876-1937), autograph letter signed, written at the Strand Palace Hotel, London, dated in 1931, 4 pages, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5 x 8 pages, in excellent condition. 

Scottish soprano (1895-1983), typed letter signed, written in 1979. 1 page written in English. Size is 6 x 8 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian bass (1849-1922) and brother of bass Leopoldo. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Florence, 1875, addressed to the impresario Ardavani about some real state contracts in Lisbon (Portugal). Size is 5.2 x 8.3 inches, 1 written page, folds, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a lithograph of him. Size is 11.7 x 17 inches, folds, otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian bass (1849-1922). Autograph letter in Italian signed by him dated 1875.  Size is 5.25 x 8.4 inches, 1 written page, in very good condition.

Celebrated Italian singer (1757-1806), her married name was Brigida Banti-Giorgi, with a very important career most especially in England. Joseph Haydn created operatic roles with her in mind Ticket for a concert in her benefit on March 25th, 1802, signed by her. We believe 1802 was the last year she sang in England, after a very successful run, returning to Italy in the same year and passing away in Bologna in  February, 1806.  Size is 4.6 x 3 inches, overall rust tone, very even, and an address written on verso, with 4 dots of mounting traces. In very good condition - Very rare!

Italian mezzo-soprano (1920-2003), very famous in 1940s- 1960s for Italian opera repertoire, especially Verdi. Lot of 3 typed letters signed written to La Scala impresario Antonio Ghiringhelli. All in Italian, sold untranslated. 1 letter typed in 1947, the other 2 in 1950. Of various lengths, all are in excellent condition. Sold only as lot. 

Italian tenor (1930-2022) who had a prolific career during the 1950's through the 1970's. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written on both sides of hotel stationary of the Hotel Prado-Alffer in Mexico City. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 7.25 x 10.5 inches, in excellent condition. Also included: 2 photo clippings from newspapers showing him both in role and as himself. 

Italian contralto, creator of the role of La Cieca in Ponchielli's La Gioconda in 1876. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1880. 3 pages of a 4-page folded document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 5 x 8.25 inches, total item size is 8.25 x 10.25 inches, in excellent condition.

American tenor, actor, and comedian (1833-1917), performed in musicals and related entertainment. Signed album page, dated in 1886. 7.5 x 11-inch page with tears on the left side, but otherwise in very good condition.

French baritone (1810-1971), appeared in the world premiere productions of Donizetti's La Favorite, Roberto Deveraux, L'Assedio di Calais, and Dom Sebastien, as well as several operas by Fromental Halevy, Giuseppe Lillo, Adolphe Adam, and Louis Niedermeyer.  Autograph letter signed, 3 pages of a folded 4 page document, written in French and sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, small creases, folds, and several bullet holes, otherwise in very good condition.  

Maltese tenor of German origin (1873-1926), one of the most important heldentenors of the early twentieth century.  Large signed album page with attached photograph, shown as himself, dated in Munich in 1914. This item includes a 3.25 x 4.75 inch photo postcard mounted onto soft cardboard, total item size is 8 x 10.5 inches, slight silvering on top left of photo, otherwise in excellent condition.  

Italian baritone (1899-1973). Typed "LS" (signed and sealed) contract with La Scala, Milan, dated in 1934, 2 sided document, with Basini's handwritten signature and official stamp of La Scala Theatre director on verso. Size is 8.5 x 12 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian tenor (1874-1949). Signed postcard, with the image of Marie Jeanne Martinez Villegas at the "Calle Alsima" in Buenos Aires in 1648. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian voice coach (1812-1870), who wrote important books on singing, was also (earlier in his career) a violinist and conductor. Very rare autograph letter signed by him, dated in New York in 1868, in English, arranging an appointment. One page, 8 x 9.75 inches, minor folds, in excellent condition. 

Famous Italian bass and later baritone (1922-1967), world acclaimed, who died young.  Autograph letter signed, 1 page in English, written on the stationary of the Essex House, New York, dated in 1965. Size is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, several folds, in excellent condition. 

French bass (1822-1872), creator of many roles at the Opéra-Comique between 1848 and 1857, including the lead male role in Meyerbeer's L'Étoile du Nord (1854). Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated 1871, to Madame Deslignières: “…un gazetier malpropre s’est permis d’éditer à mon sujet certaines allégations malsonnantes dont j’ai demandé justice aux tribunaux et me voilà à la tête d’un procès…”. Size is 5.4 x 8.4 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, creases, in overall very good condition. The original envelope is INCLUDED.

French mezzo-soprano (1877-1970) whose name is often associated to the music avant-garde of Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, and others. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, no date, addressed to a friend “…M. Bormier, un de mes amis qui a un atelier où je fais des cours de chant, voudrait donner le 22 janvier Simon avec mise en scène, décors, récitation…”.  Size is 6 x 7.6 inches, two written pages, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.