Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

Italian bass (1831-1892), who specialized in basso buffo roles in bel canto operas, sang in many important theaters in Europe and South America. Autograph letter in Italian signed by him as “A. Bottero”, dated in Roma, March 24, 1878, to the Turin music publishers Giudici & Strada: "... Beautiful, indeed beautiful booklet. The Musicians, although the part of Battisolfa is a little odious, it does not matter, I will do it with great pleasure; I'm looking forward to hearing his music...", etc. Size is 5.5 x 8.5 inches each page, 1 written page in one folded sheet, vertical crease across, in overall excellent condition.

Italian bass (1831-1892), who specialized in basso buffo roles in bel canto operas, sang in many important theaters in Europe and South America. Autograph letter signed, dated by him in 1887, asking somebody (probably a theater manager) to include Il Barbiere di Siviglia in the repertoire for the current season. One single sheet handwritten on both sides (folded into 4 pages of which 3 are handwritten by him, the 3rd is signed). Size of the entire sheet is 7 x 9 inches, in Italian, sold with a translation (see scans).

French mezzo-soprano (1786-1850), whose real name was Marie-Julie Halligner and who performed her entire career under the stage name Mme. Boulanger. Appeared in the world premiere productions of the operas Le Maitre de Chapelle, L'Ambrassadrice, Le Domino Noir, and La Fille du Regiment.  Was also the grandmother of the famous French composer, conductor, organist and influential teacher, Nadia (Juliette) Boulanger.  Signed receipt payment on a 4.5 x 7 inch album page, written in French, sold untranslated. Bold handwriting and signature. Some creases on edges, otherwise in very good condition. 

French tenor (1820-1887), known in his time for his excellent portrayals of Meyerbeer's tenor roles.  Autograph note signed by him, written in French (sold untranslated), dated in Paris, 1853.  Size is 5.3 x 8.2 inches, 1 page, minor rust stains and folds, otherwise in excellent condition.

French singer (1901-1983) and diseuse (teller/narrator), signed page with a letterhead from a hotel, with a short sentiment in French. Size is 6 x 8.25 inches, in very good condition.

English tenor (1819-1889), son of the famous English tenor John Braham (1774-1856), who successfully toured through England, Scotland, Ireland, and also in the US. Autograph music quote, signed and dated by him in 1851, 7 x 4.25 inches, in excellent condition

Famous English tenor (1774-1856), (his real name was Abraham). Braham performed at the world premiere of Oberon (opera by C.M Von Weber). Autograph letter signed, dated in 1819. One page, written in English. Size is 7 x 8.25 inches, some small smudges on front and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in good condition. Rare!

Famous English tenor (1774-1856), (his real name was Abraham). Braham performed at the world premiere of Oberon (opera by C.M Von Weber). Autograph note signed, dated in 1855. One page, written in English. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. Rare!

Austrian soprano (1866-1921), who created the roles of Sophie in the world premiere of Massenet's Werther in 1892. Autograph note signed, written in Vienna, dated in 1897. 1 page, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

American contralto (1892 -1935), performed the role of La Rossa in the world premiere performances of Giordano's Madame Sans-Gene at the Metropolitan Opera in 1915.  Autograph letter signed,  2 pages of a 4-page document with the letterhead of the Hotel Statler in Detroit, written in English. Size of each page is 5.25 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American contralto (1892 -1935). Autograph note signed on 3.5 x 5 inch card, in excellent condition.

German soprano (1903-1990). Set of 2 autograph letters signed, each dated in 1962 and 1 autograph note signed, dated in 1975. The two letters are on her personal letterhead, are 2 pages in length, sized at 8.25 x 11.75 inches, and are in very good condition. The autograph note signed is on a folded postcard brochure (each page is 4.25 x 6 inches) and contains a beautiful front page cover photo of a Christmas market in Munich. Each item is written in German, sold untranslated. Not sold separately. 

English mezzo (1856-1925). Autograph note signed, dated in 1900. Size of note is 4.5 x 5.75 inches, mounted on larger album page, total size is 8 x 11 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian tenor (1824-1884). Autograph letter signed dated in 1881. Amusingly written in French and ending in English. Two pages sized 5 x 7.75 inches, in excellent condition.

French soprano/mezzo-soprano (1847-1926), autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in French and sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, some creases, tears, and bullet holes on left edges not affecting the text and signature, otherwise in very good condition.

Italian mezzo-soprano (1869-?). Signed card attached with a half-tone photo of her, inscribed and dated in Milan 1907. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in very good condition.

French soprano (1890-1936). Autograph note signed, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 8 x 10.5 inches, slight bends at top and bottom, otherwise in good condition. ALSO INCLUDED: 1 signed postcard showing the city of Bordeaux with Bugg's signature and inscription on verso, dated in 1933. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, small bullet holes and creases in middle, otherwise in good condition. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German baritone (1842-1902), appeared as Johannes Freudhofer in the 1895 world premiere performances of Wilhelm Kienzl's opera Der Evangelimann. Autograph note signed, written on both sides of a 3.5 x 5.5 inch postcard. Written in German. sold untranslated, in excellent condition.

Czech tenor (1870-1924), who had an active international career spanning the 1890s to the 1920s, especially known for Wagnerian heldentenor roles at the Metropolitan Opera and throughout Europe. Signed album page, signed in Budapest, dated in 1917. Size is 4.25 x 6.75 inches, slight tear near the bottom of the page but not affecting the signature. 

Italian soprano (1872-1922). Signed postcard, containing an image of Napoleon in battle. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

German concert singer and teacher (1893-1967), as well as the daughter of legendary German soprano Johanna Gadski. Autograph letter signed, 1 page on her own letterhead, written in English, dated in 1947 (signed as "Charlotte Busch" reflecting her marriage to Ernest Busch). Size is 8.25 x 11.5 inches, small creases and tears at the very bottom (not affecting any written material), otherwise in very good condition.

Italian bass-baritone (1826-?), who sang the role of Marcovaldo in the world premiere performances of Verdi's La Battaglia di Legnano in Rome in 1849. Autograph letter signed, written on all 4 pages of a folded document, written in Italian sold untranslated, dated in 1881. Each page is 5.25 x 8.75 inches, total item size unfolded is 8.75 x 10.75 inches, in excellent condition. 

French singer (1767-1834), actress, composer, and daughter of composer Pierre-Joseph Candeille. Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by her, where she writes a message to a gentleman, postponing an appointment due to illness. Size is 4.9 x 7.9 inches, 1 written page, some restorations on verso, in overall good condition.

American mezzo-soprano (1870-1951), also known as Sara Cahier. Signed album page, dated in Munich in 1913 (signed as "Madame Charles Cahier") containing a quote from the famous American artist James Whistler. Bold and clear signature. Also included: unsigned photo of her, shown most likely in role, photo by Wasow, mounted onto the cardboard containing her signature. Size of photo is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, total item is 8 x 10.5 inches, in excellent condition.

French soprano (1858-1942), starred in the world premieres of Mascagni's L'Amico Fritz, as well as Massenet's La Navarraise and Sapho. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages of a 4 page folded document, embossed, written in French, sold untranslated. Extremely bold and clear handwriting and signature. Size of each page is 5.25 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

French soprano (1858-1942), starred in the world premieres of Mascagni's L'Amico Fritz, as well as Massenet's La Navarraise and Sapho. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, mentioning some mistreatments she has received from newspapers and other personal stuff. Size is 7 x 8.9 inches, 3 written pages, folds, creases, in very good condition.  

French soprano (1858-1942), starred in the world premieres of Mascagni's L'Amico Fritz, as well as Massenet's La Navarraise and Sapho. Autograph note signed, 2 pages of a 4 page folded document, written in French, sold untranslated. Extremely bold and clear handwriting and signature. Size is 5.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

French soprano (1858-1942). Signature cut, size is 2.25 x 6.25 inches, in very good condition. Also included: unsigned photograph of her in the title role of Bizet's Carmen, a half tone photo by A. Dupont. Size of photo is 5 x 7.5 inches, very slight rips and tears on corners, otherwise in very good condition. Not sold separately. 

Famous French soprano (1858-1942).  Star-shaped half-tone photo and album page with her signature (two separated pieces).  Album page's size is 7.4 x 5 inches, photo is 8.5 x 8.5 approximately, in very good condition.

French soprano (1858-1942). Signature cut, dated by her in 1896. Size is 3.5 x 2 inches, in very good condition.

Italian bass, impresario, librettist and composer (1798-1880). Autograph letter signed, 1 page of a folded 4-page document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 6.75 x 8.75 inches, unfolded size is 8.75 x 13 inches, small tear on the final set of pages (containing no text), otherwise in excellent condition. 

Italian baritone (1855-1927). Autograph note signed, written on stationary of the Palace Hotel, San Francisco. Written in English, size is 5.5 x 8.5 inches, tear at the bottom and top, repaired in the back, in good condition.     

Famous Italian tenor (1845-1896), whose career reached its height in the last 3 decades of the 1800s, and served as the leading tenor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York where he sang the title role of Gounod's Faust at the theatre's opening in 1883.  Autograph letter signed, 1 page of a folded 4-page document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, total unfolded size is 8.25 x 10.75 inches, small stain at bottom of the front page, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Famous Italian tenor (1845-1896), whose career reached its height in the last 3 decades of the 1800s, and served as the leading tenor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York where he sang the title role of Gounod's Faust at the theatre's opening in 1883.  Autograph letter signed, 1 page of a folded 4-page document, written in Italian, sold untranslated, dated in Boston in 1878. Size of each page is 4.25 x 6.75 inches, total unfolded size is 6.75 x 8.5 inches, some very small smudges, otherwise in excellent condition. 

American tenor (1840-1910). Autograph letter in German (untranslated) signed by him, dated October 29, 1880, addressed to Mr. May, saying "I am very happy to take over the tenor part of the Glocke since this part was written especially for me by Mr. Max Bruch, and I had the honor of being the first tenor to sing the role in Gürzenich Saale in Cologne on May 12th, two years ago...”. Size is 5.2 x 8 inches, 1 written page, in very good condition.

Italian dramatic soprano (1905-1979), one of the leading sopranos of the 1930s and 1940s, recorded frequently with Beniamino Gigli. Typed letter signed, dated in 1940, composed at the Hotel Quirinale in Rome. Signed with her married name "Maria Caniglia Donati". 1 page, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 8 x 11 inches, small tear in the middle and slight paper loss at the bottom right of the page, otherwise in very good condition. 

Italian soprano (1878-1960), sang the title role in the world premiere production of Riccardo Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini in 1914.  Autograph letter signed, dated in Rome in 1906, written on all 4 pages of a folded 4.5 x 6.75 inch document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Clear handwriting and signature. Small crease on final page, otherwise in excellent condition.

Argentine soprano (1879-1915). Signed postcard, showing painted image of a field and stream. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

French tenor (1839-1924). Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written in French, and sold untranslated. Size of each page is 4.75 x 7.25 inches, small bullet holes and folds, otherwise in very good condition. 

French tenor (1839-1924). Autograph note signed, 1 page, written in French and sold untranslated. Size is 5 x 8 inches, some small ink stains, but otherwise in very good condition.   

French tenor (1839-1924). Lot of 3 signed autograph letters in French (sold untranslated) and one signed autograph note. 1 letter is dated in New York, 1883; the others have no date and no location. The largest letter size is 6.75 x 9.75 inches, others are 4.5 x 7 or 5.5 x 8 inches, note is 3 x 4.5 inches, all are in excellent condition. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French tenor (1839-1924). Set of 2 autograph letters signed, 1 page each, written in French (sold untranslated). 1 letter written at the Grand Hotel in Paris, dated in 1887, the other has no date and no location. The first letter is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, small crease on the top left, otherwise in excellent condition. The other undated letter is  4.5 x 7.25 inches and in excellent condition.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French tenor (1839-1924). Signed card mounted on soft cardboard with photo as himself at the top of the page, the card is dated in April 1885. Size of the card is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, total item size is 7.75 x 10.25 inches, small tear on top right of the cardboard, otherwise in very good condition. 

Italian tenor (1832-1889) who sang leading roles throughout Europe. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1871, addressed to the impresario Innocenzo Canedi commenting about engagements to perform in Naples and Cairo.  Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and verso), folds, overall rust, in very good condition.

Italian tenor (1832-1889) who sang leading roles throughout Europe. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Naples, 1878 addressed to Mr. Eustachio in Naples, concerning the 1878 performance of the opera Cleopatra at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, commenting also on other performances. Size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, 4 written pages, folds, creases, in very good condition.

Italian tenor (1846-1917). Autograph note signed, dated in 1884, written on both sides of a two-sided card. Written in Italian, sold with an English translation. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, 2 pages, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1877-1928). Autograph note signed, dated in 1926. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Text is on both sides of one double-sided card, signature on verso. Size is 5 x 4.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian bass (1894-1971), autograph note signed, 1 page, written in Italian, sold untranslated, dated in 1931. Size is 5.25 x 6.75 inches, small creases and folds and some mounting traces on verso, otherwise in very good condition.