Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

Italian baritone (1875-1955), who had a very successful and prolonged career interpreting Italian operas. His most memorable roles were Figaro (by Rossini) and Rigoletto (by Verdi).  Signed contract with Teatro La Scala, detailing what operas he will sing, salary, conditions, an interesting document. This is a carbon copy of the contract, four pages, Stracciari signs at the end of page 4, each page is 8.25 x 11.75 inches, folds, in excellent condition.

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.

Canadian soprano (b.1938), a major star of the Met Opera and other international houses from the 1960s to the 1990s, sang a very broad range of repertoire. Autograph letter in English signed by her, dated Dec 16/91, to professor Patricia Lee: “...sorry for the delay. This was the first weekend in seven weeks that we were not rehearsing...”.  Size is 6.2 x 8.9 inches, in excellent condition.

Siberian-born soprano (1920-1987), one of the most admired coloratura voices of the post-WWII period. Set of 2 typed letters signed by her, with the letter head from the Vienna State Opera and dated in 1967 and 1968, plus a smaller page with her signature. In German, sold untranslated, each one is 8.2 x 11.5 inches, smaller page is 8 x 7.6 inches. Crack on one of the letters, storage holes in the smaller signed page, otherwise in very good 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.

Austrian tenor (1858-1937), who performed in the world-premieres of several operettas by Lehar, Johann Strauss and other composers. Signed card, dated in 1886. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian tenor (1858-1937), who world-premiere several operettas by Lehar, Johann Strauss and other composers. Autograph note signed, dated in 1888. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, 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.

German soprano (1849-1927), signed card with textual quote from Wagner's Die Walkure, signed in Bayreuth, dated in 1896. Size is 3 x 4.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Signed album page containing multiple signatures - those of the British soprano Elsie Suddaby (1893-1980), English contralto Muriel Brunskill (1899-1980), the tenor John Adams, and the English bass-baritone Keith Falkner (1900-1994), dated from a performance of the Nottingham Sacred Harmonic Society in March, 1928. The album page is 3.75 x 4.25 inches mounted onto a larger page of 6 x 6.5 inches, in very good condition. 

Belgian soprano (1874-1940), autograph note signed with embossed seal on top left, 1 page written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.5 x 7 inches, small ink stain to the left of the text, otherwise in excellent condition.

Star Spanish mezzo-soprano (1895-1936), very popular in her time. Autograph letter in French (English translation included) signed by her, to a critic, thanking him for a favorable review. On one folded sheet, handwritten on two pages, signed as "Conchita S.". Total sheet size is 11 x 7.5 inches (unfolded), in very good condition.  Autographs of Supervia are extremely rare

Superstar Australian soprano (1926-2010), signed envelope with the embossed image and name of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London, one of her primary artistic homes. Size is 4.75 x 7.25 inches, attractive item 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.

Austrian tenor, actor, and director (1836-1901), associated with the "Golden Age" of Viennese operetta, appeared in world premieres of operettas by Offenbach, Johan Strauss and Von Suppe. Signature cut, sized at 1.75 x 4.5 inches, vintage item in excellent 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. 

Italian baritone (1845-1921), husband of famous pianist Teresa Carreno. Autograph letter signed, written in New York, dated in 1897, 1 page written in English on his personal business letterhead. Size is 5.75 x 9 inches, in excellent condition.

Famous Italian tenor (1913-1995), known for Italian lyric roles. Typed letter signed, 1 page in English, dated in 1947. Size is 8.5 x 10.75 inches, small creases on bottom left and top right, otherwise in good condition. 

Japanese tenor, signed card, written in Japanese and sold untranslated. There is a beautiful wintertime image taped to the front of the card, with his handwriting inside the folded card. Size of each page is 5.5 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.

French tenor (1851-1896), strongly associated to the French repertoire, and creator of the main tenor roles in the world premieres of Offenbach's Les Contes d´Hoffmann, Delibes' Lakme, and Massenet's Manon.  Signed album page, inscribed and dated in 1888. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 4.5 x 4.5 inches, very small creases on bottom left corner and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in excellent 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 Milan in 1901, signed as "Tamagno" and to an unknown recipient. In French language, sold untranslated. Two pages in one folded sheet, each page is 4.5 x 6.5 inches, in excellent 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. 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.  

Ukrainian baritone (1860-1923). Autograph note signed written on a postcard, written in Russian, sold with an English translation. Postcard also contains a half-tone photo image of Tartakov, shown as himself. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

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. 

Austrian tenor (1891-1948), revered as one of the world's finest Mozartian tenors.  Signed printed score with three songs from his operetta "Der Singende Traüm", composed, signed and inscribed by him on the front cover, dated in Vienna, 1934.  This music was composed by Tauber for his lover, the Russian singer and actress Mary Losseff.  Size is 10.7 x 13.4 inches, 10 pages including covers, central fold, otherwise in very good condition.

English bass (1784-1863), conductor, and critic. His signature cut (probably from a receipt or contract) mounted on an album page. Total size is 7.25 x 5.1 inches, tape residues over the left border, otherwise in very good condition.

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).  Autograph note signed, 1 page note written on the stationary of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York, sized at 5.75 x 9 inches, 2 folds, in excellent condition. 

Famous English soprano (1888-1976).  Autograph note signed, 1 page note written on her official stationary, size is 5.5 x 7 inches, 1 fold and small crease on top left, otherwise 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.    

Famous English soprano (1888-1976). Nice card signed and dated by her in 1943 with a short music quote. Size is 3.6 x 2.3 inches, in excellent condition.

Original handwritten contract written in French, signed by 13 singers including Huet, Darancourt, Vizentini, Ferréol, Lemonnier, Darboville, Desbroses, Belmont, Boulanger, Rigaut, Pradher, Leclerc.  Size is 8.25 x 13.1 inches, 1 sheet (2 pages), minor rust stains, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a copy of one page of the book with the chronology of the Theater highlighting the names of the singers.  Size is 5.25 x 9.1 inches

French operetta soprano (1854-1922), appeared in the world premieres of several Offenbach operas. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1880, 4 pages written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4 x 6 inches, in excellent condition.

French operetta soprano (1854-1922), appeared in the world premieres of several Offenbach operas (her real name was Cécile Piccolo). 2 autograph letters signed, one contains three pages of text, 5.5 x 5.5 inches, the other has 4 pages of text at 5 x 8 inches. Both written in French, sold untranslated. Both in excellent condition, 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.

American soprano (1845-1931), autograph letter signed, 2 pages of a 4-page folded document written in English on the front and final page, composed in St. Augustine, Florida, dated in 1889. Bold and attractive handwriting and signature with gold embossment on the front page. Each page is 5 x 8 inches, in excellent condition. 

American soprano (1845-1931), signed album page, dated in 1884, size is 3.5 x 7.25 inches, bold handwriting and signature, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED: Unsigned cabinet photo by Anderson, New York, shown possibly in role, size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, small tears on far right side and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in good condition. Not sold separately. 

American baritone, actor and radio personality (1896-1960), who performed about 600 performances in leading roles at the Met Opera. Two typed letters signed, 1 page each, one dated in 1934 and the other in 1942. Each is 7.25 x 10.5 inches, in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

Group of 8 autographed items from leading operatic performers including John Charles Thomas, Lawrence Tibbett and Maggie Teyte, as well as a signed card from the actor James Lewis. Items include hand-written autograph letters signed and autograph notes signed, typed letters signed, signed cards, and signed album page. All are in excellent condition, sold only as lot.

American baritone, actor and radio personality (1896-1960), who performed about 600 performances in leading roles at the Met Opera. Typed letter signed, 1 page, dated in New York in 1949. Size is 7.25 x 10.5 inches, in excellent condition.