Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

Austrian soprano (1833-1903), known in Vienna as the queen of operetta, sang Rosalinde in world premiere performances of Johan Strauss's Die Fledermaus. Autograph note signed, dated in 1893, written on a 3.5 x 6.5 card, in excellent condition. 

German mezzo-soprano (1883-1961), autograph letter signed, dated in Leipzig in 1920, 2 pages, written in German and sold untranslated. Bold handwriting and signature. Size of each page is 7 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

German mezzo-soprano (1883-1961) associated with the singing of German lieder. Autograph letter in English signed by her, dated 1948, sent to a friend about personal matters. Size is 5.2 x 7 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1874-1946) and first sentimental companion of the star tenor Enrico Caruso until 1908. Autograph letter in Italian signed by her to Italian impresario Franco Fano, dated October 7, 1908, informing her new address. Size is 4.4 x 7 inches, 1 page, central fold, rust stains, in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1880-1959), younger sister of Italian soprano Ada Giachetti (1876-?), a lover of the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso.  Signed album page, with text on both sides written in Italian, dated in 1907. Size is 5 x 9 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian bass (1868-1910), autograph note signed, dated in 1908.1 page written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 4.25 x 6.75 inches, mounted onto album page of 8.25 x 11.25 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian superstar tenor (1890-1957), one of the greatest tenors of all time, often regarded as "the second Caruso". Signed postcard with an attractive image on front and his inscription and signature on verso, dated in 1927. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

French-Algerian baritone (1877-1940), autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written in French and sold untranslated. Size of each page is 4.5 x 6 inches, several creases and folds, otherwise in very good condition. 

German soprano (1898-1985), sang mostly in recital. Typed letter signed, dated in Frankfurt in 1937. Written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 8 x 11.5 inches, small tears on several corners not affecting text and signature.   

Celebrated Italian baritone (1824-1897), who created the title roles of Verdi's Simon Boccanegra (1857) and Renato in Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera (1859). Autograph letter in Italian (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated in Madrid, February 27, 1864, to the music publisher Leone Escudier in Paris requesting the publication of an article in his magazine. Size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

French tenor (1916-1995). Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, one of them dated 1960, addressed to the journalist and musicologist Bernard Gavoty (1908-1981) and concern a radio broadcast dedicated to “…les grands interprètes…”.  Each one's size is 5.5 x 8.4 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet each (front and back), creases, folds, in overall very good condition.

Portuguese mezzo-soprano (1870-1953). Autograph note signed, written on both sides of a 5.5 x 7-inch card, consisting of several poetic verses, dated in Lisbon in 1948, signature is on the verso (backside). Written in Spanish, sold untranslated. In excellent condition. 

Romanian-born American soprano (1884-1938), one of the most famous performers in the 1910s, very famous for singing at the Met Opera of New York. Card signed and inscribed by her, mounted on cardboard. Card size is 3.5 x 2 inches, in excellent condition.

Romanian-born American soprano (1884-1938), one of the most famous performers in the 1910s at the Metropolitan Opera. Fine card signed and inscribed by her with a short sentiment in New York, March 30, 1915 attached with a small half-tone photo of her. Size is 5.75 x 3.3 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned sepia photograph of her.

Italian baritone (1913-1984), noted for his unique voice and his talent for verismo performances. Typed letter signed, 1 page, written in Italian, sold untranslated, dated in Rome in 1953. Size is 6.5 x 10.25 inches, small bullet holes and folds in the middle, in very good condition. 

Hungarian mezzo soprano (1845-1925), autograph letter signed, 1 folded page written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 5 x 7.5 inches, in excellent condition.

English soprano (1831-?). Autograph letter signed, 2 pages of a folded 4-page document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Page size is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, small tear on final pages not including any text, otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian tenor (1865-1957), best known for creating the role of Rodolfo in the world premiere of Puccini´s opera "La Boheme" in 1896. Autograph note signed, 1 page, written in Italian and sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, slight wear at bottom, otherwise in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED: photograph of the artist in role (most likely as Rodolfo), this contains a facsimile signature on the bottom left, size is 4.75 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. Rare vintage item!

German mezzo-soprano (1929-1998), autograph letter signed, written in Munich, dated in 1966. Written in German, sold untranslated. 3 pages, t written on 3 large sheets of paper with her letterhead at the top left of each page. Signature at bottom of page 2. Size is 8.25 x 11.5 inches with 2 bullet holes on left side and jagged edges on all 4 corners not affecting the text and signature. Otherwise in excellent condition.

French baritone (b. 1930), signed card. Size is 2 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Famous French soprano (1870-1934), who world premiered operas by Massenet, Leroux and others, and the French premiere of Verdi´s opera "Falstaff". Autograph note signed, 1 page written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

French soprano (1852-1939), celebrated especially for her performances of operettas by Jacques Offenbach, starring in the world premieres of his La Jolie Parfumeuse, Girofle-Girofla, La Marjolaine and Le Petit Duc, among many others. Autograph note signed, 2 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4.3 x 5.9 inches, beautifully preserved in excellent condition.

Italian tenor (1885-1946) who had a major career singing Verismo roles.  Autograph music quote with music from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, signed on a card. Size is 2.9 x 2 inches, in very good condition.

Italian baritone (1828-1901), who was at the world premiere of La Forza del Destino. Autograph letter signed, dated in London in 1868, in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, four pages, in very good condition.

Italian baritone (1828-1901), who was part of the original cast in the world premiere of Verdi's La Forza del Destino. Autograph note in Italian (sold untranslated) signed by him and dated June 19, 1863. Size is 4.4 x 7.2 inches, folds, in very good condition.

Italian baritone (1828-1901), who sang Don Carlo di Vargas in the world premiere of Verdi's La Forza del Destino. Very rare autograph note signed, dated in 1870, in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 4 x 5.25 inches, slight tear on top right, otherwise in excellent condition.

French soprano (1896-1979), signed postcard (not a photograph of her), with text and signature on the verso of the card.  Written in French, and sold with a typed one page English language transcription. Size of the card is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, the transcription (unfolded) is 8.5 x 11 inches, both are  in excellent condition.

Norwegian soprano (1845-1935), wife of the famous composer Eduard Grieg. Signed card, dated in 1909. Size is 3.6 x 8.5 inches, slight rust but in generally very good condition.

French tenor (1834-1912), who starred in both opera and operetta, including the world premiere productions of Massenet's Manon and Offenbach's Les Contes D'Hoffmann. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in French in 1889, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian baritone (1924-2012), autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 8.25 x 11.75 inches, small creases and folds, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Belgian mezzo-soprano (1834-1908), starred in the world premiere productions of Verdi's Don Carlo, Thomas's Hamlet, and La Coupe du Roi de Thule by Eugene Diaz. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her. Size is 5.25 x 8.1 inches, three written pages in one folded sheet, folds, in excellent condition.

Belgian mezzo-soprano (1834-1908), starred in the world premiere productions of Verdi's Don Carlo, Thomas's Hamlet, and La Coupe du roi de Thule by Eugene Diaz. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, written in French, sold with a typed English translation. Signed as "Pauline Lauters". Size of each folded page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, small stain on back page (fourth page without any text), otherwise in excellent condition. Also included: one unsigned half-tone photo, shown as herself, by photographer C. Reutlinger. Size is 3.75 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

Italian baritone (1819-1883) starred as the Count Di Luna in the world premiere performances of Verdi's Il Trovatore in 1853 and also created several other leading roles in operas by lesser-known Italian composers. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages of a folded 4-page document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, unfolded item is 8 x 10.5 inches, in excellent condition.

French cabaret singer (1865-1944), and actress of the Belle Epoque, who also performed in silent films. Autograph letter signed,  dated in 1921, 1 page (of a folded 4 page document) written in French sold with a typed English translation.  Size of each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, small mounting traces, otherwise in very good condition.

French cabaret singer (1865-1944), and actress of the Belle Epoque, who also performed in silent films. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) written and signed by her in Berlin. Size is 5.25 x 7 inches, 1 written page, folds, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned sepia photo postcard of her. Size is 3.4 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Bohemian-Austrian operetta soprano (1879-1961), creator of the title role of Hanna in Lehar's The Merry Widow. Autograph note on a card signed by her and mounted over a larger piece of soft cardboard. Total size is 5.5 x 4.25 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned black-and-white photo postcard of her. Size is 3.4 x 5.3 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian tenor (1831-1894) whose career focused on chamber music. Autograph letter signed by him, dated in Hannover 28.2.73, where he addresses a certain Mr. Krüger, asking him to schedule his performances in March. Size is 5.1 x 7.7 inches, 1 page, some folds, in overall good condition.

Czech-born baritone (1842-1906), Gura was already famous in Germany when he was chosen to create the role of Gunther in the world premiere of Gotterdammerung in Bayreuth, August 1876. Beautiful autograph music quote signed by him, with 4 bars of a lieder by Schubert - Gura dedicated the later part of his life to songs - signed by Gura, dated in 1902. Size is 6.5 x 4.25 inches, rare!

American bass (¿?-1931) who sang at The Metropolitan Opera, died tragically. Autograph note with a former autograph collector's letterhead signed by the bass, dated in New York, January 13, 1925.  Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 1 page, central fold, in very good condition.

German soprano (1874-1935), autograph note signed, dated in 1929, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 6.5 x 8 inches, small creases and bends and slight paper loss on far right, not affecting the handwriting. Otherwise in good condition. S

German tenor (1832-1883), father of the painter and stage designer Georg Hacker (1863-1945). 5-bar autograph music quote from Liszt's "Die Stille Wasserrose" with words by Emanuel Geibel, signed by Hacker and dated in Warnemünde, August 13, 1875. Size is 7.2 x 4.6 inches, evident central fold, few creases, in overall very good condition.

German soprano (1948-1917), a pupil of Pauline Viardot-Garcia, and wife to photographer Erwin. Autograph letter in German (untranslated) signed by her, dated Stuttgart, November 20, 1887, to a gentleman, concerning some musical evenings. Size is 4.7 x 7.2 inches, 2 written pages, embossed monogram, folds, overall age toning, in very good condition.

American baritone (1909-1960). Small regular card signed by him and dated 1895. Size is 4.2 x 3.25 inches, in excellent condition.

English soprano (1876-1959), also known as Agnes Nicholls Harty. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages of text on a folded 4 page document. Size of each page is 4 x 6 inches, in excellent condition. 

American soprano (1851-1929).  Short autograph note in German on the verso and front of her personal card signed by her as "Minnie". Size is 3.5 x 2 inches, some rust tone, in overall excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned carte-de-visite (CDV) with her image and her personal card.

American tenor (1887-1977), autograph letter signed, 1 page in English, dated in 1942. Size is 6 x 8 inches, small creases and folds, otherwise in very good condition.