Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

Belgian born American mezzo (1865-1957), known as "the grand lady of the chorus at the Metropolitan Opera House", sang in opera in both Europe and the United States for over sixty-three years. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1947, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 6 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian soprano (1894-1948), autograph letter signed, written in 1940. 1 page of a 2-sided sheet, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 6 x 10 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian mezzo-soprano (1850-1922), very celebrated in her time, with a voice containing a range of 2 and a half octaves. Autograph letter signed 1 page written in Italian on letterhead of the Hotel Espanol in New York, dated in 1884. Sold untranslated but with typed transcription on a separate page (see scan). Size of the original letter is 8 x 10 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian mezzo-soprano (1850-1922). Unsigned cabinet photo, shown as herself. A photo by C. F. Colny, Boston, size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition and is mounted onto an 8.5 x 11.5 inch piece of cardboard with an autographed musical quote, dated in 1886. Bold handwriting and signature. Cardboard has some stains and mounting traces on verso but musical quote is untouched as is the cardboard phtoo. 

Italian mezzo-soprano (1850-1922), very celebrated in her time, with a voice containing a range of 2 and a half octaves. A fine album page with a text quote in Italian signed by her in New York, 1885. Size is 7.5 x 4.7 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian mezzo-soprano (1850-1922), very celebrated in her time, with a voice containing a range of 2 and a half octaves. Small card signed by her and dated 1898 attached to a photo clip from a magazine or program. Size is 5.7 x 3.5 inches, some wear, in overall very good condition.

Austrian bass (1838-1886), signed album page, signed in Graz, dated in 1876. Signature is on album page of 4.75 x 7.75 inches mounted onto larger album page of 6.25 x 8.75 pages, in excellent condition.

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. 

Austrian-American soprano (1879-1954), autograph letter signed, 3 pages, written on a folded 4-page document, written in English, dated in New York in 1936. Size of each page is 5 x 7.75 inches, some rust stains on empty back page, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Austrian-American soprano (1879-1954). Album page signed by her. Size is 4.8 x 6.4 inches, central fold, in excellent condition.

German baritone (1859-1923), who sang at the most important theaters and Festivals in Europe, including Bayreuth. Scheidemantel created the role of von Faninal in the world premiere of Der Rosenkavalier in 1911. Autograph letter signed by him, in 1 sheet of paper with his initials in the letter head (KS), in German, dated in 1897. Sold untranslated, size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian star tenor (1888-1965), signature cut, inscribed and written in Rome. Size is 3.25 x 9.75 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian star tenor (1888-1965), signed album page (front page of a book), dated in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1927. Size is 6.5 x 9 inches, some rust on edges of page not affecting clear and bold handwriting and signature.

Italian tenor (1888-1965), considered one of the finest tenore di grazia in operatic history. Fine card signed by him with a short sentiment dated in Rome, 1934. Size is 5.25 x 3.25 inches, mounting traces on verso, otherwise in excellent condition.

Austrian soprano (1859-1910), autograph letter signed, discussing her repertoire. 3 folded pages, written in German, sold untranslated. Attractively embossed on front page. Size of each page is 4 x 6 inches, unfolded the total size is 6 x 8 inches, in excellent condition

German baritone (1888-1952). Regular postcard signed by him with a short sentiment and dated in Zurich, February 23, 1957. Size is 5.7 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

German baritone (1897-1977) known for Mozart, Wagner and Strauss roles, sang frequently at the Vienna State Opera. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 7.5 x 11.25 inches, small tear at the top and several creases and folds, otherwise in good condition. 

Austrian soprano (1893-1977). An album page signed and inscribed by her with a short sentiment dated April 19th, 1928. Size is 7.7 x 10.1 inches, in very good condition.

German soprano (1935-1996), typed letter signed, written in Munich, dated in 1966. Written in German, sold untranslated. One large sheet typed on her own letterhead, size is 8 x 11.5 inches, 2 small bullet holes on left, otherwise in very good condition.

German tenor (1855-1924), started his career as an operetta singer, later on focused on opera and sang in the world premiere of 3 operas by Karl Goldmark, one by D´Albert and in Die Drei Pintos by Weber-Mahler. Autograph note signed, with a text quote, dated in Vienna in 1910. Size is 10.25 x 7 inches, 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.

German-born American soprano (1888-1952), known for her many recordings and close association with composer Richard Strauss. Signed album page, dated in 1936 which also contains a half-tone photo of her, shown as herself. Size is 5 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian soprano (1906-1987), autograph letter signed, 6 pages  of text (3 2-sided pages), written in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 4.75 x 8.25 inches,  in excellent condition.

German soprano (1919-1988), typed letter signed, written in Vienna on her own letterhead, dated in 1962. Written in English. Size is 8.25 x 11.5 inches, in excellent condition.

German soprano (1919-1988), typed note signed, written in Salzburg on her own letterhead, dated in 1953. Written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 5.75 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.  

Signed holiday card of the Japanese soprano, size is 4 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition.

French tenor (1848-1899), urban planner, and Socialist politician. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, August 2, 1891, where he addresses a certain Mr. Jacquot: “…je vous félicite par Monsieur votre père à l’Expédition de Moscou, je partage votre satisfaction…”.  Size is 4.6 x 7.2 inches, two written pages in one sheet (front and verso), light smudge over the ink writting on the first age, central fodl, in overall excellent condition.

French tenor (1927-2018), particularly celebrated in character tenor roles.  Autograph note signed by him and dated August 11, 1956 (from Lydia Fournier's Guest Book). Size is 4.5 x 6.7 inches, in excellent condition.

Australian bass Harry Lempriere Pringle (1864-1914), autograph musical quote signed on the top of the page, dated in 1899 at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London, containing some music and text of Hunding in Wagner's Die Walkure. ALSO INCLUDED: At the bottom of the same page, signed autograph of French tenor Georges Imbart de La Tour (1865-1911), including short inscription with sentiment (written in French). Sold untranslated. This is an album page of 6.25 x 7.75 inches, small creases on edges, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Moravian-born soprano and teacher (1853-?), autograph letter signed, 4 pages, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 5 x 8 inches, attractively embossed with her first name on the front page, in excellent condition.

Slovakian mezzo-soprano (1853-1928) who toured throughout Europe and South America with an extensive repertoire from Meyerbeer to Verdi. Fine autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, dated 10/3/90, to her “gentile amico Sigaretta” (a nickname): “…Come era lungo faticoso il viaggio dalla mia bella Firenze, in questa nevicata triste Odessa – ma come l’onde del mare si seguono così sull’altra con vertiginosa velocità – così la mia vita artistica (…) Ora con febbrile ansia studio la Fede (Fidès), la provo, e presto la canterò, e spero di sollevare non le montagne ma il pubblico…”.  Size is 4.7 x 7.4 inches, 2 written pages , central fold, in very good 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.

British soprano (1910-1999), autograph note signed, dated in 1957. 1 page, size is 6.25 x 8 inches, small crease on top left, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Russian tenor (1872-1934) who enjoyed continued fame unabated into the Soviet era, whose voice was lyrical in size and tone, and it was employed with discerning taste and excellent musicianship. Album page signed by him with a short quote from Edouard Schure's poem. Size is 7.4 x 4.6 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photo postcard of the tenor. Size is 3.4 x 5.4 inches, minor silvering, in very good condition.

Swedish soprano (1927-2009), known for both opera and song recital.  Lot of 1 signed card, shown as Christine in Richard Strauss's Intermezzo, inscribed with sentiment on the inside page, and 1 unsigned photo shown in role in Janacek's Makropoulos Case.  Signed card is 4 x 5.75 inches, the other photo is 4.75 x 6.75 inches. Both in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

French baritone (1918-2004), regarded as one of the very finest interpreters of French art songs. Autograph note in French signed by him, dated probably in 1954, on Lydia Fournier's Guests Book. Size is 4.5 x 6.7 inches, 1 pages, overall rust tone, in very good condition.

British mezzo (1879-1969), autograph note signed, size is 5 x 6.5 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.

German bass (1796-1832), who focused mostly on basso buffo roles, his career developed mostly in Berlin. Autograph receipt note signed, handwritten in German (sold untranslated), dated by him in Berlin in 1827. One page sized 8.25 x 9.5 inches. Top corners are damaged, overall rust tone, otherwise in good condition, rare.

Italian baritone (1888-1968), performed frequently at La Scala and other European houses.  Typed "LS" (signed and sealed) contract with La Scala, Milan, dated in 1934, 2 sided document, with Stabile's handwritten signature and  official stamp of La Scala Theatre director on verso. Size is 8.5 x 12 inches, in excellent condition.

Hungarian soprano (1911-1999), known for Mozart and other lyric soprano roles. Regular postcard signed by her with a short sentiment, dated in Zurich, October 10, 1950. Size is 5.8 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

German baritone (1843-1905), later director of the Opera House in Konigsberg. Autograph letter in German (untranslated) signed by him, dated December 4, 1867, addressed to a gentleman, refusing to sing for three nights because of too little pay offered. Size is 5.1 x 7.9 inches, 1 written page, some creases, in very good condition.

German baritone (1843-1905), later director of the Opera House in Konigsberg. Set of 2 presentation cards handwritten by him, one signed on verso as Max.

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.