Composer Autograph Manuscripts

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), and a central opera composer in all of Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. His calling card handwritten by him with a short sentiment "with thousand thanks" addressed to a certain General Corbetto.  Size is 3.5 x 2.1 inches, mounting traces on verso, in excellent condition.

French composer (1822-1884) of sacred music, and director of singing at Notre-Dame between 1876-1884. A very important autograph letter in French signed by him, dated in Paris, April 8, 1872, to a collegue, mentioning a trial regarding the widow of the composer Gioacchino Rossini, Olympe Pélissier, and unpublished works by the composer: “…Je ne pouvais rien vous écrire avant de connaître l’issue du procès de Madame Rossini. Aujourd’hui, j’apprends qu’elle vient de le perdre (…) Avez vous réussi à trouver un nombre de souscriptions suffisant pour l’acquisition des oeuvres inédites de Rossini (…) Aussi me suis-je sincerement réjoui lorsque en ma présence Madame Rossini a pris l’engagement de vous les vendre en toute propriété…”. Size is 5.3 x 8.25 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), overall rust tone, creases, with letterhead, in overall very good condition.

French composer (1857-1941) and violinist, son of Pauline Viardot, who appeared with great success in Paris and London. Autograph letter in French (sold with translation) signed by him about personal matters and music lessons. Size is 4.4 x 6.8 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), minor crack over the top, folds, otherwise in excellent condition.

Romanian composer (1926-1998), and also music theoretician and educator. Full page autograph music quote with some bars from his choral work "Clepsidra I" signed and inscribed by him, dated in Bucharest, 1985.  Size is 8.5 x 10.9 inches, in excellent condition.

Belgian composer (1820-1881), and violinist, who extensively toured through Europe and the US, considered one of the leading violinists of the 19th century. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated in Brussels, July 8, 1842. Size is 5.6 x 8.1 inches, 1 written page, some small cracks over borders, dust stains at the left, folds, in overall very good condition.

Belgian composer (1820-1881), and violinist, who extensively toured through Europe and the US, considered one of the leading violinists of the 19th century. Autograph letter in French (sold with translation and transcription) signed by him and addressed to a certain Mr. Guillaume, about the career of some students and the birth of a new grandson.  Size is 5.2 x 8.2 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet, some stains, in overall very good condition.

Irish composer (1852-1924), who was also music teacher and conductor, creator of an important number of symphonic music and coral work for church performance, plus 9 operas. Printed score for full orchestra for his 3rd Symphony, signed by the composer in pencil on top of the title page.  Villiers Stanford´s 3rd Symphony was premiered in 1887 and was entitled "The Irish", it is his most popular symphony. Published by Novello, Ewer and Co., London and New York, 183 numbered pages plus extras, hardcovers, 11 x 13.6 inches. Pencil markings by another hand in some pages, (see a scan of page 1 as an example), spotted rust, in overall good condition.

Italian violinist and composer (1755-1824), a famous virtuoso of his time and an important composer for the violin, later in life, opera director. Printed score for his Violin Concerto in G, version adapted for the piano, opus WIa:7, adapted by pianist J.L. Dussek from his violin concerto WI:23. Signed by him over the lower right corner of the front cover page. A total of 22 pages plus front cover, 9.4 x 12.2 inches. Printed for the author and sold by Clementi and Co., London. Some ink annotations by another hand at the top right and near the signature, over the lower right corner, probably former ownership. Probably had original covers that are now missing, in overall very good condition. 

Italian  composer and conductor (1884-1948), mostly known for his operas and sacred music.  Autograph letter signed, addressed to the Metropolitan Opera's General Manager Gulio Gatti-Casazza, dated in Padua in 1923. 4 pages written in Italian, sold untranslated. Very bold handwriting and signature. Size of each unfolded page is 6.75 x 10 inches, in excellent condition. 

French composer (1821-1900) and French horn player, admired by Napoleon III. Set of two autograph letters signed by him dated 1899 and 1895, about personal matters, addressed to a certain Michelangelo Fiorentino della Rovere and to an unnamed gentleman.  Sizes are 5.1 x 7.9 inches and 4 x 8.5 inches, 1 written page each, sold untranslated, folds, tape residues in one of them, in overall very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French operetta composer and violinist (1841-1906), who was also a conductor and theater director.   Group of three autograph letters signed, all three written in French and sold untranslated.  One letter dated in 1887 is 2 pages, 4.5 x 7 inches,  another with the letterhead of the "Theatre National de L'Opera Comique" in Paris is one page, dated in 1898 is 5.25 x 8.25 inches,  both in excellent condition. A third letter written on the letterhead of the "Grand-Theatre Municipal" of Lyon, dated in 1896 is 2 pages at 8.25 x 10 inches , small stains on far left edge of the document, otherwise in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

French composer (1841-1906) and conductor. Set of two autograph letters signed by him with the letterhead of Theatre des Folies-Dramatiques, dated in Paris, 1893.  Size is 5.25 x 8.3 each, 1 page each, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1781-1870) and oboist, who enjoyed a very successful career as teacher. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, as follows: A. Dated, July 16, 1831, to Stephen de la Madeleine (1801-1868), having to decline the invitation of Georgette Ducrest, a woman of letters and concert performer. Size is 5 x 7.8 inches, 2 written pages, overall rust stains, in very good condition. B. Dated March 15, 1870, to Georgette Ducrest (1789 - 1882), about musical matters. Size is 5.2 x 7.8 inches, 3 written pages, some creases and folds at the top, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German composer and conductor (1911-1992), who was also an academic teacher. Vogt created 2 operas and several orchestral works. Autograph music quote signed, from his concerto for cello and orchestra, dated in 1968. Size is 5.25 x 6.6 inches, in excellent condition.

German opera composer (1875-1942), created 5 operas and orchestral works, worked in the US, England, and later produced the Munich Opera Festival until 1934 when he was banished by the nazi government. Music quote from his Festival Prelude, op. 53, signed and dated in 1938, together with an autograph letter, in German, signed by him - also dated in 1938 in Hechendorf am Pilsensee, Bavaria, where he lived and would die 4 years later. Sizes are 7 x 3.25 inches for the autograph music quote signed, and 8.75 x 11 inches autograph letter. Letter is 1 page long, it is written only on 1 side, has some minor folds, and is sold untranslated.

Austrian composer of light operettas (1819-1895). Fatinitza was premiered in Vienna in 1876, and was Franz von Suppe´s first full opera and one of his biggest triumphs. Signed piano and vocal score, no year mentioned but circa 1879, listing the singers of the Paris premiere of 1879 - probably printed for the occasion.  Boldly signed by the composer and inscribed to Scipion, one of the singers in the cast that night. Size is 7.75 x 10.75 inches, 238 pages, in fine condition. Listen to a piece from "Fatinitza", act I:

English-born composer (1865-1947) and composer, raised in Sweden.  Autograph music quote on a small card with a  short music quote with 6 bars of vocal music, signed by him in Rattvik, Sweden.  Size is 3.5 x 2.5 inches, minor crease, in excellent condition.

Autograph letter written and signed by the legendary composer, dated on October 23 (no year indicated), addressed to a certain Mr. Fritzsche (who was probably his publisher), about returning some proof sheets and agreeing to certain proposals. Size is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, 1 page, mat-burn stains, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photo postcard of the composer. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

German composer and conductor (1869-1930), son of Richard Wagner, and artistic director of the Bayreuth Festival from 1908 to 1930. Autograph note in French (untranslated) on a postcard signed by him depicting Wahnfried Villa in Bayreuth, dated in [Bayreuth], December 27, 1927, addressed to the composer and organist Amedée de Montrichard (1872-1949):  “…Une British American Theatre Agency , rue d. l. Madeleine m’engage pour deux concerts à Paris. Connaissez-vous cette agence? Est-elle bonne? One ne sait jamais dans nos temps de charlatans…”. Size is 3.6 x 5.6 inches, some smudges over the ink writing, otherwise in excellent condition.

American composer and educator (1881-1946).  Printed score for this piano transcription of the work "From the Land of the Sky Blue Water", signed and inscribed with a short sentiment by him.  Size is 9.25 x 12.1 inches, 6 pages (including covers), in excellent condition.

American composer (1889-1954), creator of songs and choral music. Autograph music quote with 8 bars from one of his works, signed by him, dated in 1951. Size is 9.4 x 3.75 inches, repaired crack over the top, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED are 2 autograph letters signed: one of them has 2 pages, dated in 1943 with a letterhead from a Hotel in Chicago, size 7.25 x 10.5 inches, folds, in excellent condition; the other is 1 page with a letterhead from a hotel in New York, no year, size 6 x 9.4 inches, folds, in very good condition.

Program page for the first American performance of Walton's opera "Troilus and Cressida" at San Francisco Opera on October 7, 1955, signed by the composer himself and some other performers such as Dorothy Kirsten, Richard Lewis, Robert Weede, and conductor Erich Leinsdorf. Size is 5.75 x 8.7 inches, cast page only, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a black-and-white photograph signed by Dorothy Kirsten in this production, shown next to Richard Lewis. Size is 7.9 x 9.8 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1902-1983), known for his works on several classical genres including opera, oratorio, orchestral, film, etc. Autograph music quote on a sheet of paper with a printed Richard Wagner facsimile over the lower border, with 1 bar of music from "Façade", one of Walton's most famous works, signed and dated by him in 1977. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition.

English composer (1902-1983), known for his works in several classical genres including opera, oratorio, orchestral, film, etc. Autograph note with the hotel's letterhead signed by him on Easter Sunday 1973.  Size is 8.7 x 6.5 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned half-tone photograph of the composer shown young. Size is 5 x 7.8 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1902-1983), known for his works on several classical genres including opera, oratorio, orchestral, film, etc. Printed vocal score of his cantata "Belshazzar´s Feast" (1931), this is the revised edition from 1955, signed by the composer on the front cover. Size is 6.75 x 9.75 inches, with all 120 pages and both covers, some damage/wear in the spine, markings inside, in overall very good condition.

American composer (1917-2013), best remembered for his opera "The Crucible" (1961). Extended 9-bar autograph music quote from act IV of his opera "The Crucible" (1961) on a music sheet signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 8.5 x 11 inches, in excellent condition.

British composer (b.1928) and also an educator. Full page autograph music quote with 5 bars from his oratorio "The Passion" (1962) signed by him.  Size is 8.5 x 10.9 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1821-1910) and music publisher. Lot of four autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, one dated 1860. Letters are addressed to journalists and musicians. We report two extracts as a sample: “…On n’est pas bon, indulgent et aimable comme vous. Je viens vous remercier avec effusion. Vous avez analysé mon oeuvre non seulement en musicien, mais en poète…” ; “…La répétition générale aura lieu mercredi jour du concert (19) à midi…”.  For a total of 4 pp. In-8. ALSO INCLUDED is an autograph letter signed by the playwright Édouard Fournier (1819-1880) to Weckerlin: “…L’adresse de Madame Ugalde est hélas! Lors Paris (…) Je tiens le renseignement de son dernier directeur celui de l’Eldorado. Il soit donc être très exact. Voyez-là. On la dit engagée au lyrique. Sachez-le, et dans le cas où il faudrait consentement de votre ennemi intime Carvalho, je m’en chargerais…”. 2 pp. In-8.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Hungarian composer (1885-1960) and teacher.  Autograph music quote with 4 bars of music signed by him, from his work "Prince Csongor and the Goblins" (Ballet Op.10), dated in Budapest, 1938.  Size is 5.75 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.

German composer (1894-1963), artistic director, and music writer. Autograph musical score signed and inscribed by him to the writer and musician Karla Höcker (1901-1992), dated 1946. Von Westerman writes 43 bars of his composition “Widmung” for high voice and piano.  Size is 9.7 x 12.2 inches, 4 pages, creases, overall rust tone, othewise in excellent condition.

American pianist (1912-1996), arranger, composer, and conductor who worked in music and television from the 1930s to the 1970s. 4-bar autograph music quote from his work "Shrimp Boats" (1951) including lyrics and signed by him. Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1862-1941), teacher, and writer. Set of 4 autograph letters signed by him, no year indicated but circa 1913.  Two of them are 1-page letters and the other two are 2-page letters.  1-page letters are 6.1 x 7.7 inches each, and 2-page letters are 5.25 x 6.9 inches each; folds, all in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German composer (1823-1905) and writer. Autograph letter in German signed by him, dated December 23, 1883, to a music director, concerning upcoming business:  "... I would have another year like that and that is Italy and Germany, which is as for me even more binding and obligatory must hold more moderately besides, my financial circumstances are due to a limited nature...". Size is 8.3 x 10.3 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), creases, wrinks, folds, small crack over the top, in overall very good condition.

English composer, and teacher of harmony and composition. 3-bar autograph music quote from his Symphony in F signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment dated 1933 at the Royal Manchester College of Music. Size is 5.3 x 3.25 inches, overall rust tone, minor stains, in very good condition. On verso there is an unidentified autograph dated 1936.

German composer and conductor (1810-1882), creator of mostly vocal music. Autograph letter signed, in German, dated in 1847. Four pages (sold untranslated), size is 4.25 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Argentine composer (1862-1952), pianist, and teacher. Original handwritten manuscript of the score of his work "Piecitas Argentinas para mis Nietos" Op.123.  Size is 10.6 x 13.75 inches, 6 pages, with markings and corrections, folds, and some cracks, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a large photograph of the composer signed by photographer Zurelli over the upper-right corner, and mounted on a slightly larger piece of cardboard. Size is 12.1 x 15.8 inches, in excellent condition.

Argentine composer (1862-1952), pianist, and teacher. Nice postcard signed by him, dated in Buenos Aires, 1903. Size is 3.6 x 5.6 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1902-1984), flutist, musical arranger, bandleader, and writer; best known for his musicals "The Music Man" and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas". Typed letter signed by him, dated February 6, 1980, to Roger Davis: «...As per your phone request (...) we are enclosing herewith a fax copy (...) which we received from Terry MacGregor of the MacNider Museum (...) concerning the possibility of their obtaining for their archives a print of THE MUSIC MAN (...) This would be the one exception to our policy of not allowing non-profit showings of this film (...) We will insist that before it is turned over to them a Letter Agreement be executed with the Museum strictly limiting the conditions under which the film can be shown...».  Size is 8.5 x 11 inches, 1 page, folds, in excellent condition. The Charles H. MacNider Museum is a non-profit, municipally owned institution conceived in 1964 and opened in 1966 in Mason City, Iowa. ALSO INCLUDED are a copy of the same letter with autographed notes by the composer, and a Carbon-copy of the letter by MacGregor.

American songwriter (1827-1902) who used several different pseudonyms. Rare autograph letter dated in 1883 by him, about music matters without his signature. At the end of the letter there is a note by the recipient clarifying that the letter was handed unsigned, 2 pages. Each page's size is 5.6 x 8.3 inches, bound together with archival tape, in excellent condition.

English composer (1921-1984). Autograph letter in English signed by him, dated Nov. 10, 1963, to Ms. Carla Hinrichsen widow of the German music publisher Henri Hinrichsen, informing her on the staging of his opera The Captive (1960) which: “....is having two performances at the Guildhall School of Music (...) I would be very pleased if you could come to see this as we have a good cast & the performance should be fair...”.  Size is 5.3 x 6.9 inches, 1 page, folds, letterhead, in very good condition.

Austrian composer (1860-1903), particularly known for his songs (lieder). Autograph letter written in German on the back of a postcard signed by him and addressed to his friend F. Eckstein, about personal matters. Size is 5.4 x 3.3 inches, central fold, otherwise in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a German transcription plus a translation into English.

Austrian composer (1860-1903), particularly known for his songs (lieder). Autograph letter written in German on the back of a postcard, addressed to his friend F. Eckstein, about personal matters mentioning he has a "pile of new songs". Size is 5.4 x 3.3 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a German transcription plus a translation into English

Austrian composer (1860-1903), particularly known for his songs (lieder). Autograph letter in German signed by him, dated 1889, about his schedule. Size is 4.4 x 7 inches (each page), 2 handwritten pages, central fold, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a transcription plus a translation in English.

Austrian composer (1860-1903), particularly known for his songs (lieder). Autograph letter written in pencil in German signed by him, dated in Vienna, September 18, 1890, addressed to his friend F, Eckstein about daily business and mentioning the payment of a debt. Size is 4.9 x 7.8 inches, 1 page, central fold, minor crack, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a German transcription plus a translation into English.

Austrian composer (1860-1903), particularly known for his songs (lieder). Autograph letter written in German signed by him as "Wölferl", addressed to his friend F. Eckstein, about personal matters. Size is 5.5 x 8.75 inches, 1 page, few minor cracks, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a German transcription plus a translation into English.

Italian composer (1876-1948) and teacher, best known for his comic operas. Autograph letter in German (sold untranslated), no dated indicated.  Size is 5 x 6.5 inches, 1 sheet, in very good condition.

Italian composer (1876-1948) and teacher, best known for his comic operas. Autograph music quote with four bars from his opera "I Quattro Rusteghi" signed by him on an album page mounted on a slightly larger page. Total size is 6.25 x 4 inches, in very good condition.

French-born composer and conductor (1884-1970), mostly known for his work as conductor at the Metropolitan Opera and Teatro Colon.  Autograph music quote on a card with 4 bars of music, signed, inscribed, and dated by the composer in New York, 1920.  Size is 5.3 x 3.4 inches, in excellent condition.