Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

American bass-baritone (1916-1967), set of 2 autograph letters signed, both written in German, sold untranslated. One of these is 2 pages, the other 1 page, each written on the stationary of the Eden-Hotel-Wolff in Munch, size is 5.75 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

Italian bass (1806-58), appeared as Cardinal Salviati in the world premiere production of Franz Lachner's Benvenuto Cellini in Munich in 1849 (not the opera of the same name by Hector Berlioz). Autograph letter signed, dated in Munich in 1831, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Addressed to "Monsieur Richard, the Director of the Theatre Royal in Paris. Size is 8.5 x 10.25 inches, faded background and tear at left side (but not affecting the text and signature), but clear and legible text and signature.

French baritone (1869-1954), who concentrated mostly in operetta repertoire, but tackled a few numbers of Mozartian roles. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4.6 x 6.3 inches, 1 page, no date, in very good condition.

French bass-baritone (1894-1966), autograph letter signed, dated in 1926. 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition. 

Austrian soprano (1839-1890), very popular in festivals and concerts, as well as on stage throughout her country. Signed album page, 3.75 x 6.5 inches, bold handwriting and signature. Slight rust at bottom not affecting signature, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED: unsigned photograph, shown as herself, size is 3.75 x 6.25 inches, some rust on far edges, otherwise in good condition. Not sold separately. 

English contralto (1833-1882), sang internationally from the 1840s to the early 1880s. Signature cut of 3.5 x 5.5 inches, glued to a 7.75 x 11.25 inch page, in excellent condition.

English bass-baritone and composer of songs (1801-1876), active from the 1820s to the 1840s.  Autograph letter signed, 1 page written in English on the first page of a folded 4-page document, most likely written in 1844 at a time when he was visiting the United States. In this letter, he mentions the composition "The Falls of Niagara". Size of each page is 7.75 x 9.5 inches, small creases and tears on several edges, but otherwise in good condition.  ALSO INCLUDED is a 4.25 x 6.75 inch print containing a photographic reproduction of Phillips, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

English bass-baritone (1801-1876), active from the 1820s to the 1840s. Autograph note signed, dated in 1865 written in Birmingham. Size is 5.5 x 8 inches, in excellent condition. 

English contralto (?-1915), sister of the celebrated contralto Adelaide Phillips (1833-1882). Autograph letter in English signed by her. Size is 5.3 x 8.3 inches, 4 written pages in one sheet, folds, in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1834-1899), who created the role of Violetta Valery in the London premiere of Verdi's La Traviata in 1856. Autograph letter signed. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Three pages sized 8 x 10 inches, with minor rust spots and tears at the top not affecting the text, otherwise, in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1834-1899), who created the role of Violetta Valery in the London premiere of Verdi's La Traviata in 1856. Autograph letter signed, dated in Florence in 1855. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. One page, sized 7.75 x 10 inches, with minor rust spots, otherwise, in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1834-1899), who created the role of Violetta Valery in the London premiere of Verdi's La Traviata in 1856. Signature cut dated by her in Liverpool 1858, mounted on a piece of soft cardboard. Total size is 5.25 x 1.6 inches, in excellent condition. Rare!

Hungarian tenor (1891-1957), active from 1912 to 1932, sang in many worldwide theatres including Bayreuth. Signature cut dated in Budapest in 1925 beautifully mounted on a mat which also contains a photograph of him in the title role of Wagner's Tannhauser. Mat is 8.25 x 11.75 inches, beautiful historic item, small creases on edges and mounting tape traces on verso, otherwise in excellent condition. 

French bass (1851-1914), one of the most acclaimed basses of the Golden Age of Opera. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated in London, June 3rd, 1898, to a lady, mounted on soft cardboard. Size is 5.1 x 8 inches, 1 written page, in excellent condition.

French bass (1851-1914), one of the most acclaimed basses of the Golden Age of Opera. Signed album page, dated in 1904. Bold and clear handwriting and signature. Size is 4.5 x 7.5 inches, in excellent condition.  

French bass (1851-1914), one of the most acclaimed basses of the Golden Age of Opera. A regular card beautifully signed by him and dated in New York, 1907. Size is 3.6 x 2.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Irish baritone (1865-1936) who was most famous in the formal concert and oratorio repertoire. Piece of paper with a 2-bar autograph music quote signed by him with a long sentiment. Size is 3.5 x 2.6 inches, in very good condition.

Irish baritone and later leading music teacher and administrator (1865-1936), most famous in the formal concert and oratorio repertoire. Set of 2 autograph musical quotes signed, one with translated text taken from an old Hungarian song, dated in 1893, sized at 4.5 x 7 inches, the other on a 6 x 7.5-inch document, dated in Hull in 1908. Both in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

Irish baritone and later leading music teacher and administrator (1865-1936), most famous in the formal concert and oratorio repertoire. Autograph musical quote signed on a 5 x 6.5 inch album page, in excellent condition. 

Irish baritone and later leading music teacher and administrator (1865-1936), most famous in the formal concert and oratorio repertoire. Autograph musical quote signed on a 6.25 x 8 inch album page, in excellent condition. 

Irish baritone and later leading music teacher and administrator (1865-1936), most famous in the formal concert and oratorio repertoire. One autograph musical quote signed, dated in 1908 on a 3.5 x 4.5 inch card. Also included: unsigned 3.25 x 5.5 inch postcard photo of him, shown as himself. Both in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

Austrian baritone (1900-1968), typed letter signed, 2 pages of text on both sides of a 5.75 x 8 inch document, dated in Vienna in 1959, written in German, sold untranslated. Addressed to Karl Maria Zwissler, the director of the Mainz Stadtisches Theater. Small bullet holes on the left, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Italian tenor (1806-1875), appeared in the world premiere productions of Verdi's Giovanna D'Arco and Donizetti's Torquato Tasso, as well as other operas. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in Italian, sold untranslated, dated in 1841. Text on the first page of the 4-page folded document, page's size is 5.5 x 8.5 inches, small tear on the back page without text, otherwise in very good condition.

French tenor (1787-1866), voice teatr at the Paris Conservatoire, and creator of the role of Georges Brown in Boieldieu's opera "La Dame Blanche". Set of three autograph letters in French signed by him, as follows: A. April 29, 1823. To the composer and Director of Paris Conservatory Luigi Cherubini  (1760-1842): “…J’ai l’honneur de vous informer que j’ai obtenu pour voyager deux mois de congé à partir du 4 mai. J’ose espérer que vous voudrez bien m’être favorable pour ce qui concerne l’École royale et la chapelle, en joignant votre agrément à l’autorisation que j’ai obtenu…”. 1 p. In-8. B. Paris, October 17, 1837. To the  director of Brussels Conservatory François-Joseph Fétis (1784-1871): “…l’ouvrage que vous m’avez communiqué et que vous disposez à faire paraître sous le titre de méthode des méthodes de chant me parait devoir être d’un grand intérêt et d’une grande utilité pour tout le monde chantant…”. 2 pp. In-8. C. Mardi 10. To a gentleman, apologizing for not being able to attend some rehearsal because of his cold. 1 p. In-8. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French tenor and teacher (1787-1866). Autograph letter signed, dated in 1847. Written in French, sold untranslated. Document consists of four folded pages, text is on the first two. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, small tear and ink stain on back pages (without text), otherwise in excellent condition.

French tenor and teacher (1787-1866). Autograph letter signed, dated in 1856, written in French (sold untranslated). Document consists of four folded pages, text is on the first three. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Polish tenor (1814-1873), composer, and also diplomat and politician, son of Prince Stanislas Poniatowski and Cassandra Luci. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date specified, to the Parisian critic Michelangelo Fiorentino della Rovere: “…j’ai revu Païva et nous sommes convenu que j’ecrive au Duc de Janeïro que je connais pour le lui demander, mais il faut un pretexte, par exemple un exemplaire relié aux Armes de Portugal de votre traduction du Dante à offrir à S. M. pour sa bibliothèque…”.  Size is 5.4 x 8.3 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), embossed letterhead, folds, dirt stains, in overall very good condition.

French-American coloratura soprano (1898-1976), a Metropolitan star for nearly 30 years. Autograph letter signed on her own letterhead, written in English on both sides of a large folded sheet (each side itself can be folded in half). Total size is 13 x 9.75 inches, in excellent condition. 

French-American coloratura soprano (1898-1976), a Metropolitan star for nearly 30 years. Autograph letter signed on her own letterhead, written in both English and French on both sides of a large folded sheet and sold untranslated. Total size is 7.25 x 10.25 inches, in excellent condition. 

French-American coloratura soprano (1898-1976), a Met star for nearly 30 years. 7 Signed album pages inscribed to her from various colleagues in the opera world including Pasquale Amato, Giovanni Zenatello, Richard Crooks, and Queena Mario, among others. Variously written in English, French and Italian, sold untranslated. Each album page is 4.75 x 7.75 inches with slight fading at corners but overall in extremely good condition.

French-American coloratura soprano (1898-1976), a Metropolitan star for nearly 30 years. 3.25 x 3.75 inch signature cut, dated by her in 1934 mounted onto a card which also includes an unsigned 2.25 x 3.25 inch half-tone black and white photo of her shown as herself possibly taken from a newspaper or magazine. Total item size is 4 x 6.25 inches, in excellent condition.

French-American coloratura soprano (1898-1976), a Metropolitan Opera star for nearly 30 years. Typed signed contract with that company, dated in 1956, eight pages, with both Pons and Metropolitan Opera General Manager Rudolf Bing's handwritten signatures at the bottom of the front page (see scan). Size is 8.5 x 13.5 inches, small stain at top of the front page and small crease on the back page, otherwise in very good condition.

French-American coloratura soprano (1898-1976), a Metropolitan star for nearly 30 years.  Original typed essay, from her estate, with 14 pages about her and her career, entitled "Singing Through Life", for a publisher named Barnett B. Lester. Essay is a typed original, not a carbon copy, and has an autograph note signed by her on the first page, saying "My Dear Mr. Lester, the interview granted by me to you is exclusive, I know you will do an excellent article, Lily Pons". A total of 14 typed pages, each one is 7.5 x 11 inches, plus the note on page 1, inside light green covers, in excellent condition.

American mezzo-soprano (1892-1977), older sister of soprano Rosa Ponselle. Printed score for Miguel Sandoval's vocal piece "Christ The Redeemer" signed and inscribed by Ponselle with a short sentiment on the front cover, dated August 18, 1967. Size is 6.9 x 10.2 inches, 12 pages (including covers), in excellent condition.

French soprano (1802-1861), creator of Zerlina in Auber's "Fra Diavolo" (1930) and Madeleine in Adam's "Le Postillon de Lonjumeau" (1836). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated 1827, addressed to a gentleman, concerning a wage increase: “…je ne pense pas que la demande de 2000fr d’augmentation soit exagérée, et d’avance elle m’était promise (…) Je chante la première chanteuse, je joue l’emploi de St. Aubin et les rôles crées par Madame Pradher…”.  Size is 7.3 x 9.5 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), creases, folds, in overall very good condition.

Italian soprano (1866-1938), also known as "Frances Prevost", autograph letter signed (with the latter name), 2 pages, written on first and third pages of 4 sided document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page (when folded) is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

Austrian soprano (1825-1908) pupil of Josephine Fröhlich and Julius Stockhausen. Set of three autograph letters signed by her, addressed to music directors and relating to music engagements.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). ALSO INCLUDED is a printed autobiography of the soprano. 

4 pages from an autograph album containing signatures of English soprano Louisa Pyne (1832-1904), her sister Susanna Pyne (1821–86) was also an accomplished singer, Czech baritone Johann Baptist Pischek (1814-1873), Italian conductor Enrico Bevignani (1841-1903), Italian baritone Enrico Delle Sedie (1824-1907), Belgian bass-baritone, conductor and composer Luigi Agnesi (1833-1875), and several other performers. Each page is 5.25 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian baritone and voice teacher (?-1896), autograph note signed, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, very slight tear on top right otherwise in excellent condition.

German tenor (1714-1797), famous in his time for singing alongside Farinelli in Madrid (1755-1759), and creator of Mozart's Idomeneo title role during its world premiere in 1781.  Signed receipt for a payment for a performance in Spain, handwritten and dated by another hand in 1957, and signed by Raaff at the bottom. Size is 8.4 x 4.25 inches, folds, in excellent condition.  Extremely rare and scarce!

Polish-born and Italian-trained Russian soprano (1893-1963) who became a naturalized American, possessed a voice of remarkable power, and was the creator of the title role of Puccini's last opera Turandot. Signature cut, dated in 1924. Size is 4.25 x 4.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Polish-born American soprano (1893-1963) who possessed a voice of remarkable power, and was the creator of the title role of Puccini's last opera Turandot. An album page signed by her, adding the quote "Turandot 1933" (on verso there is one signature by a certain Joseph Royer - not shown). Size is 5 x 4.2 inches, right border irregularly cut, in overall very good condition.

Irish bass-baritone and film actor (1873-1953), known for opera, oratorio, and musical theatre, principally associated with the role of Captain Macheath in the ballad opera The Beggar's Opera, which he sang close to 1,500 times. Autograph letter signed, 1 page in English, size is 4.5 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition.  

Italian opera singer (1866-1923). Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by her. Size is 4.4 x 6.8 inches each page, 2 pages, central fold, light rust stains, in overall good condition.

Italian opera singer (1866-1923). Small card signed by her with a short poem in English dated 1900. Size is 6.8 x 4.4 inches, in very good condition.

Signed 3 x 5 inch card containing the signatures of two famous sisters the Italian mezzo-soprano Sofia Ravogli (1865-1910) and Italian soprano Giulia Ravogli (1866-1941). This card also contains a musical quote betweeen their two signatures and is dated in New York in 1892. On the verso side of this card is the signature of American painter, sculptor, and writer Francis Davis Millet (1848-1912) who died in the sinking of the famous ship the Titanic. Signed as "F.D. Millet", dated in 1892. Bold handwriting and signature. Vintage item in excellent condition. 

English soprano and esteemed voice teacher, wife of John Sims Reeves, the foremost English operatic, oratorio and ballad tenor vocalist of the mid-Victorian era. Autograph letter signed, on personal stationary, 3 pages, 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.