Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

French soprano, also known as "Mademoiselle de Taisy", a frequent performer at the Paris Opera  Comique. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, dated in 1864, written in French and sold untranslated. Signed as "Mademoiselle de Taisy." Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, some biographical information penciled in below the text, in very good condition. 

Italian tenor (1875-1939). Autograph letter signed, written on the stationary of the Grand Hotel Central in Argentina, dated in 1911. 1 page written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 8 x 10.75 inches, some rust on edges and borders, but text is very clear with bold handwriting and signature. Very rare and unique historical item!

Daughter of the star Italian soprano Angelica Catalani (1811-1849), Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, no date, where she addresses a gentleman: “Voici, mon cher monsieur, la fin d'une lettre de ma mère à mon père qui la suivit jusqu'à la tombe un mois plus tard!”. Angelica Catalani and her husband Paul de Valabregue both died in 1849 within a few days.  Size is 3.6 x 5.3 inches, one written page, central fold, in very good condition.

German bass (1846-190G) pupil of Matteo Salvi and Giovanni Gentiluomo, who debuted in 1868. Autograph letter in German (untranslated) signed by him, dated 24 Jan. 1874, to a gentleman, concerning his repertoire. Size is 5.6 x 8.7 inches, 1 page, folds, overa age toning, in very good condition.

Italian baritone and voice teacher (1822-1907), who wrote books on singing and teaching.  Autograph letter signed, composed in 1863, 4 pages, written in Italian and sold untranslated. Each page is 4.25 x 7.25 inches (4-page folded document), beautifully preserved in excellent condition. 

French bass-baritone (1861-1933), who starred in the world premiere of Massenet's Thais and many other operas. Group of 2 autograph letters signed, one page each, both written in French and sold untranslated. dated in 1909 and 1914. The earlier letter is 4.75 x 6.5 inches, the later one is 5.5 x 7.25 inches, several small creases, otherwise in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

French contralto (1875-1932), a major singer in Paris at the Opéra-Comique enjoyed an international career in the 1890s through the 1910s. Autograph letter signed, 2 long pages (one document with 2 sides), written in French and sold untranslated. Size is 8.5 x 11 inches,  several small tears, creases and folds, otherwise in good condition. 

French contralto (1875-1932), a major singer in Paris at the Opéra-Comique enjoyed an international career in the 1890s through the 1910s. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her. Size is 4.4 x 5.75 inches, 2 written pages in 1 sheet, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an original vintage photograph of her in role. Size is 4.1 x 6.25 inches, in very good condition.

French contralto (1875-1932), a major singer in Paris at the Opéra-Comique enjoyed an international career in the 1890s through the 1910s. Set of 2 autograph letters signed, 2 pages each, both written in French and sold untranslated. Size of each page is 4.25 x 6.75 inches, both in excellent condition. 

French bass (1780-1856), who sang in the world premieres of Spontini’s "La Vestale" and Rossini’s "Le Siège de Corinthe". Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, May 17, 1813, addressed to the composer Henri-Montan Berton (1767-1844), concerning an embarrassing financial situation due to the lack of possibilities of recent performances. Size is 7.1 x 8.9 inches, 2 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, overall rust, in very good condition.

French bass (1808-1880), who possessed a rich deep voice that had a great carrying power. Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated June 27, 1849, addressed to Master Tailor and Costume Designer of the Royal Academy of Music in Paris, asking him to send him costumes for the Venice carnival of 1849. Size is 5.2 x 8.4 inches, 4 written pages, creases, some rust stain, in overall very good condition.

Signed photograph of the famous Slovene tenor (1910-1989), especially celebrated in Mozart and other German lyric tenor roles, shown as himself at home, dated in Vienna in 1979 along with a 1 page autograph letter signed written by his wife Hilda Dermota, herself a leading Austrian pianist (1912-2013), also dated in Vienna in 1979, written in German and sold untranslated. Photo is 4 x 5.75 inches, letter is 6 x 9.5 inches, with a small crease on top right, but otherwise in very good condition. Not sold separately. 

American soprano (1851-1941). Autograph letter signed, written in Paris and attractively embossed. 3 pages written in French, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

American soprano (1851-1941). Autograph letter signed, dated in Paris in 1872. Written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5 x 8.25 inches, two pages, in excellent condition.

Star Italian tenor (1921-2008), admired for his extremely beautiful voice, partner of Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi on stage and in most of her studio recordings. Signature cut, dated in 1950. Size is 2 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.   

Star Italian tenor (1921-2008), admired for his extremely beautiful voice, partner of Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi on stage and in most of her studio recordings. Signature cut, dated in 1964. Size is 3 x 5 inches, in excellent condition.   

German tenor and opera impresario (1866-1932), who from 1908 through 1910 was a joint manager of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Signed typed letter, dated in New York in 1905, to Steinway & Sons, praising the pianos and thanking for their courtesies during his recent engagements in the US. One page, 8 x 10.5 inches, this is the carbon copy of the typed letter, hand signed in black ink by the artist at the bottom. Item has folds, but is in very good condition.

French soprano (1853-1911), also known as Blanche Dieudonne. Very long autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, no date mentioned, by the French soprano where she shares her thoughts on the role of Violetta Valéry in La Traviata and the problems she had performing it. On the first 3 pages on the first sheet, there is an autograph letter signed by Valérie Dieudonné to a gentleman, concerning her sister, who will soon start to sing again. Size is 4.3 x 7 inches, 5 written pages in total, folds, in overall very good condition.

French soprano (1853-1911), also known as Blanche Dieudonne. Long autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her where she describes her last night debut. Size is 4.1 x 6.5 inches each page, 8 written pages in two folded sheets, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.

Canadian soprano (1882-1970), starred in the world premiere production of L'Oracolo by Franco Leoni. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1907, 2 pages, size is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Canadian soprano (1882-1970), starred in the world premiere production of L'Oracolo by Franco Leoni. Autograph musical quote signed with a bar of music from Gounod's Faust, size is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian baritone (1890-?). Signed postcard with halftone photo, shown as himself, signed in Rosario, dated in 1921. Size is 3.5 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition.

  Italian singer (1848-?), daughter of the actor Cesare, she is remembered for her performance in Diana di Chaverny by Carlo d'Ormeville. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, dated in Bologna, May 30, 1877, addressed to the dancer Amina Boschetti (1836-1881) sharing her plans to debut in an important theater such as San Carlo in Naples. Size is 3.8 x 6.1 inches, 3 written pages, folds, in very good condition.

Belgian soprano (1805-1896), sang frequently in Paris and London, and created roles in the world premieres of several major operas including Alice in Giacomo Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable, Oscar in Daniel Auber's Gustave III, Pauline in Gaetano Donizetti's Les Martyrs (the French version of Poliuto), Princess Eudoxie in Fromental Halévy's La Juive, Ginevra in Halévy's Guido et Ginevra, Marguerite de Valois in Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots,  and Teresa in Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini.  Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 4 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

American tenor (1870-1955). Autograph letter on a 4-page card signed by him in 1950. Size is 5.1 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Indian-born American soprano (1901-1980), set of 1 signed photograph, shown as herself, inscribed, size is 8 x 10.25 inches, several creases on each corner, otherwise in good condition, along with 1 autograph note signed, dated in 1959, size is 5 x 8 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

Belgian bass-baritone (1870-1951), signed postcard, which also contains a photographic image of him in role (likely Jochanan in Richard Strauss's Salome), dated in Chicago in 1910. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 3.25 x 5.5 inches, vintage item in excellent condition! 

Famous French tenor, teacher and composer (1806-1896), creator of the role of Edgardo in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor in 1835. 10-bar autograph music quote from Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots signed by him in Paris, on February 24, 1847. Size is 9.75 x 6.6 inches, in excellent condition.

French tenor (1806-1896) and singing teacher, known as the creator of the role of Edgardo in the world premiere of Lucia di Lammermoor (1835). Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated in Paris, 1861. Size is 5.25 x 8.1 inches 1 page, folds, in excellent condition.

Famous French tenor, teacher and composer (1806-1896), creator of the role of Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor in 1835. Signed contract for teaching at the famous "Ecole Spéciale de Chant"; the pupil, Raoul Fauquez is well known and had a career in the Théâtre-Lyrique and Opéra-Comique in Paris under the name of Coppel. Four pages, 7 x 9.75 inches, signed on the last page, dated 1868. See scans of each of the four pages by clicking on the photo thumbnails.

French soprano (1921-2016). Album page signed by her with a short sentiment. Size is 5.25 x 4.3 inches, in excellent condition.

French soprano (1885-1967). Two autograph letters signed. 1 page each, written in English, both signed as "Claire Dux-Swift". The older of the two letters dated in 1929 is 5.5 x 8.25 inches on slightly faded paper with a small bullet hole in one line of the text but otherwise in good condition. Another letter dated in 1933 is inscribed to Leo Riemens, 5.75 x 7.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American soprano (1865-1952), American painter (1857-1919). Set of 2 cards signed by them (one signature on each card. Story dated his signature in 1895). Size is 3.5 x 2.8 inches each, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Collection of five autographed signature cuts by five leading stars and personalities associated with the earliest days of the Metropolitan Opera during the early to mid 1880's. Includes performers Autuste Vianesi, Louise Lablache, Marcella Sembrich, and Sofia Scalchi, as well as General Manager Maurice Grau. Sizes range from 4 x 1.8 inches to 4.5 x 2.6 inches. All have very clear handwriting and signatures and are in extremely good, well-preserved condition, making for a very rare and valuable historical collection. See scans - not sold individually.

American singer and movie star (1901-1967), who performed in concerts, theaters, operas, radio, television, and clubs, between the 1930s and the 1940s.  Signed card, written with a short sentiment. Size is 5 x 3 inches, in very good condition.

Austrian soprano (1867-1944), who worked with Gustav Mahler at the Vienna Court Opera. Printed telegram with autograph lines by her, where she addresses the impresario Calori, asking for the scheduled dates for the performance of Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. Size is 8.8 x 5.5 inches, central fold and creases, overall age toning, in very good condition.

Bohemian tenor (1801-1862) and opera director. Rare autograph poem in German (untranslated) signed by him for birthday wishes, dated Bremen February 24, 1860. Size is 5.8 x 9.2 inches, 1 written page, some creases, overall dust and rust tones, in overall very good condition.

American soprano.  Autograph music quote signed by the American soprano on an album page, circa 1896.  Size is 6 x 7.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American baritone and voice teacher (1911-2000) who taught at Philadelphia's famed Curtis Institute. Autograph note signed on 1 side of a card, size is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American soprano (1860-?), autograph letter signed on embossed letterhead. 2 pages, written in English. Size of each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, mounting traces on back page (which contains no text), otherwise in excellent condition. 

Leading German tenor (1877-1958), created roles for several works by Pfitzner and other modern operas. Autograph letter signed by him, in German, 1 page, dated in Ravensburg -his birthplace - in 1934. Sold untranslated. Size is 8.5 x 11 inches, has folds, in excellent condition

Leading German tenor (1877-1958), created roles in several works by Pfitzner and other modern operas. Autograph note signed by him, in German, 1 page, dated in Ravensburg -his birthplace - in 1940. Sold untranslated. Size is 4 x 5.75 inches, in excellent condition.

Leading German tenor (1877-1958), created roles for several works by Pfitzner and other modern operas. Autograph note signed by him, in German, 1 page, dated in Ravensburg -his birthplace - in 1949. Sold untranslated. Size is 6 x 8.25 inches, has folds, in excellent condition. Also included: unsigned photo postcard, shown as Loge in Wagner's Das Rheingold. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian bass (1857-?). Signed postcard, with an image of a knight in armor, possibly Spain's King Philip III in 1585. Signed in Milan, dated in 1906. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Hungarian soprano (1885-1962), signature on card mounted in a larger piece of cardboard, dated in 1933. Also included an unsigned photo postcard shown as herself. Size is 5.5 x 3.5 inches. 

Famous French tenor (1859-1940), well-known in his time for his performances of heroic roles in French and Italian opera. Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4.75 x 6.75 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photograph of him; ink-stamped on verso by photographer Ermini (Milan) plus a signed record label (3.9 diameter).

Famous French tenor (1859-1940), well-known in his time for his performances of heroic roles in French and Italian opera.  Signed record label for a recording he made of the aria "La Mia Letizia" from Verdi's I Lombardi. Size is 3 x 3 inches, in excellent condition. Autographs of Escalais are very scarce so this is a quite valuable vintage item!