Directors, Impresarios, Librettists & Editors ($100 - $250)

French impresario, writer, and journalist (1851-1932), was the Secretary General of the Conservatoire National de Musique in Paris. Lot of three autograph letters and one note on his card signed by him in French (untranslated), dated between 1888 and 1897. Letters are addressed to the literate and writer Émile Aucante (1822-1908) and concern fees to be paid, concert tickets, and other matters.  The autograph letters are 5.5 x 8.5 inches each, 1 written page each; card is 3.9 x 2.3 inches, punched. All in very good condition. One original envelope is INCLUDED.  

English theater manager and opera librettist (1796-1860), who wrote librettos for several of Michael Balfe's operas including The Bohemian Girl and The Maid of Artois. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, size is 4.25 x 7 inches, slight wear on edges, otherwise in excellent condition.

French opera impresario (1825-1897) and director of the Paris Opera Comique. Nice set of 3 autographed letters signed by him, in French (sold untranslated), each of the letters is on the official stationery of the Opera-Comique, Paris. Two of the letters are undated and 2 pages long, with each page 5.25 x 8.25 inches in size; the third is dated 1896, 4 pages in length, 5 x 8 inches in size. All are in very good condition.  SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian librettist, writer and journalist (1853-1941), wrote librettos for Mascagni's L'Amico Fritz and Giordano's Mala Vita as well as a biography of the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso published in 1938. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written on both sides of a 8.5 x 11 inch document, dated in Naples in 1922 and sent to the author of another Caruso biography congratulating him on his work. Composed in Italian and sold with a 2 page typed English translation, 8.25 x 11.75 inches, both documents in excellent condition. Rare historic item!

Lithuanian-born ballet impresario (1888-1951), very important for running a ballet company with many former members from the Ballet Russes. Typed letter with his letterhead and signed by him, thanking a donor, dated in Covent Garden, October 9, 1937. Size is 8.4 x 10.75 inches, in excellent condition.

French music publisher (1825-1888), first publisher of Bizet and Berlioz. Autograph letter in French signed by him as “Choudens, Editeur Rue St. Honoré 265”, dated in Paris, September 8, 1857, to Francesco Regli (1802-1866):  "... Having the desire to publish various dramatic works by M. [Felice] Romani (1788-1865) I come to ask you to offer him in my name for each libretto such as Il Pirata, Norma, Beatrice di Tenda, Elisir d'Amore, I Capuleti, Parisina, Sonnambula, La Straniera, etc.; a sum of two hundred francs. Following the example of my colleagues, who have not even indicated the name of the illustrious poet in their editions, I shall be able to publish the libretto mentioned above. But as a matter of principle, I don't want to publish works before I have offered compensation to the author...". Size is 8.2 x 10.4 inches, 1 written page, folds, creases, some damage over the upper border, in overall good condition. 

German opera director (1887-1971). Autograph letter in German signed by him, dated in Bern on April 15, 1937, to maestro Arturo Toscanini, sending him an essay for his birthday:  “…For your 70th birthday, I have reflected my wishes in a small commemorative essay on "Band". I take the liberty of presenting you with this essay…” Size is 8.2 x 11.5 inches, 1 page, folds, creases, crack over the left border, in overall very good condition. The original envelope is ALSO INCLUDED.

French journalist (1821-1881), music publisher, and founder, with his brother Marie-Pierre Escudier, of the weekly magazine and music publishing company “La France Musicale” helping to establish Verdi's reputation across Europe. Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated in Paris, June 12, 1858, addressed to a gentleman, concerning a refusal to publish in a newspaper: “…Je ne m’explique pas, lorsque du côté de la propriété je n’éprouve point de résistance, que le Constitutionnel ferme les colonnes à la reproduction des sommaires du Reveil”.  Size is 5.4 x 8.5 inches, 1 page, some creases and folds, in overall very good condition.

Famous Italian opera impresario (1869-1940), who was the manager of La Scala (1898-1908) and the Met Opera for 27 years! (1908-1935). Signed photograph, shown young, inscribed to the famous music publisher Giulio Ricordi, dated in Milan in 1905. Photo by Guigoni and Rossi photographers, Milan. This is a 4 x 5.5 inch mounted on solid cardboard, total item size is 6.5 x 8.5 inches, in very good condition.

Famous Italian opera impresario (1869-1940), who was the manager of La Scala (1898-1908) and the Met Opera for 27 years! (1908-1935). Signed photo, dated by him the year he retired from the Met Opera, 6.9 x 10.9 inches, in very good condition.

Austrian-American opera producer (1903-1973). He was also known as Little Hans as the first child to be analyzed by Sigmund Freud, a study published in 1909 in Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-year-old Boy. Autograph letter in Italian signed by him, dated January 28, 1965, to the artistic director Francesco Siciliani (1911-1996), concerning the baritone Abe Polakoff: “…il baritono Americano Abe Poliakoff mi ha informato che probabilmente farà una audizione per Lei nei primi giorni di febbraio. Vorrei dirle che io considero Polakoff un elemento di grande qualità per parti come il TONIO nei Pagliacci. Io l’ho portato a Zurigo, ma dopo la mia demissione la sua situazione era divenuta difficile siccome lui non vuole cantare il repertorio italiano in tedesco come lo chiedono lì adesso. Nel frattempo Polakoff ha avuto un enorme successo come TONIO a Monaco…”. Size is 8.2 x 11.5 inches, 1 written page, letterhead, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.

Moravian-born American operatic impresario (1849-1907), director of The Metropolitan Opera between 1892 and 1903. Menu for a dinner in his honor at Lottos Club; New York, signed by him with a pencil over the lower-right corner, dated March 1, 1902. The menu is beautifully decorated with illustrations and Grau's image at the top.  Size is 9.9 x 15.3 inches, 1 page, minor stains, in overall excellent condition.  

French opera director and musicologist (1819-1896), Director of the Paris Opera (1871-79). Group of 5 autograph notes and letters signed by him, 4 of them with the letterhead of the Theatre National de L`Opera, all addressed to French actor Eugene Ritt (1817-1898), who later became Director of the same theater (1885-1892). Letters are dated from 1873-1883, in French, sold untranslated, one or two pages in a single sheet each, letters with letterhead are 5.25 x 8 inches, a smaller letter dated in 1883 is 4.3 x 5.25 inches, all in very good condition. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French author and playwright (1834-1908), best known for his collaborations with the works of Bizet and Offenbach. Autograph letter in French signed by him (sold untranslated), dated August 27, 1881.  Size is 4 x 6.5 inches, two written pages in one sheet (front and verso)  overall light rust tone, in excellent condition.

Music publisher (1815-1883) and founder of Heugel Publishing House. Set of three autograph letters in French signed by him, as follows: A. Paris, March 29, 1846, to the composer Edmond Audran (1842-1901), saying he has included in the program the violinist "Herman": "... who gives a delightful concert to which we will have many friends..."; he then lists a few compositions he will bring to him on their next meeting.  B. Paris, April 1, 1872” to Eugène Guinot (1805-1861), journalist and writer, asking him if he could write back to Madame Sabatier (Apollonie Sabatier, 1822-1890) with information.  C. Paris, March 8, 1862, to Milanese Music Publisher Francesco Lucca (1802-1872) about the “Pensées musicales” (op. 75, 1862) by Sigismund Thalberg (1812-1871). Different sizes, lengths, in very good condition or better(see scans provided). ALSO INCLUDED is an autograph letter signed by him, dated in Paris, March 7, 1867, to the pianist Antoine-François Marmontel (1816-1898). The correspondent enclosed “...ce 1er Volume Beethoven...”.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

British impresario (1885-1953). Typed letter in English signed by him, dated August 16, 1934, to Arturo Toscanini: “…I see by an announcement made in the London newspapers today that you have agreed to conduct two concerts for the British Broadcasting Corporation in May of next year, and I am wondering whether it would be possible for you to also conduct the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra if I am able to bring it to London at about the same time…”.  Size is 7.9 x 9.9 inches, 2 typed pages in one sheet (front and back), with letterhead, central fold, staple holes at the upper-left corner, in overall very good condition.

French music publisher (1786-1854), composer, and piano teacher. Autograph letter signed by him, dated in Paris, 1882, to the music publisher in Turin Giudici & Strada (whose archive is now preserved at the Conservatorio of Piacenza) about some publications of works by Henry Ketten (1848-1883).  Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 1 page, folds, letterhead, in excellent condition.

Austro-Hungarian librettist (1858-1940), who was very popular in his time, and died tragically of starvation while hiding from Nazi forces.  Autograph letter with his letterhead written in German (sold untranslated) and signed by him, dated in Vienna, July 6, 1919.  Size is 6.1 x 7.7 inches, 3 written pages in 2 sheets, in excellent condition.

American ethnomusicologist (1915-2002), known for his field recordings of folk music. Set of two very interesting typed letters in French (untranslated) signed by him as “Alan” and “Alan Lomax” in blue ink, dated both June 11, 1958. After many years working on field recordings in Alto Adige, Sardinia, Sicily, and other Italian regions, Lomax writes to his colleagues proposing the publication of some of their recordings. Accordingly, he summarizes their proposals. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French dramatist (1830-1897), and opera librettist. Meilhac wrote the libretto for Bizet’s Carmen and also for Offenbach and Massenet. Autograph note signed, in French, sold untranslated. One page, sized 4.4 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

French theatre director and impresario (1814-1885). Set of two autograph letters signed, both signed in Paris, one in 1868, the other undated. Each has one written page on a document of four folded pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Each letter is 5.25 x 8 inches, both are in excellent condition. 

French art and music patron (1862-1957), and director of the Académie Nationale de Musique et de Danse.  Set of 2 typed letters signed, with his letterhead, dated on 1920 and 1921.  Each one's size is 5.25 x 7.25 inches, in very good condition.

Italian Choral conductor (1869-1938) who served as chorus master in Italy, Cairo, Cologne and Buenos Aires prior to be engaged as chorus master of the Metropolitan Opera in 1908.   Wonderful photograph, signed by him, inscribed and dated in 1913. Blind stamped on the lower right corner by photographer Mishkin, New York, and also ink-stamped by him on verso. Size is 6 x 8 inches, silvering around edges, in very good condition.

American music critic (1874-1935). Autograph letter in English signed by him, dated July 31, 1924, to Arturo Toscanini, offering condolences for the death of his mother: “…Mary and I were both deeply moved by the news of your mother’s death, and are sorry that we could not be near you in those days of distress. (…) Shortly after the operation, I had a cable from the N.Y Herald Tribune asking me to send a cable of 700 words regarding the opening of the Bayreuth Festival. But of course, I could not leave Mary and had to decline the honor with regrets. (…) This morning we had a postal from Ugo. Wally's messages also have given us so much pleasure, the last written in surprisingly good English – and we feel thankful to our good Polo for sending us word of your mother’s death…”. Size is 5.2 x 6.8 inches on each page, 3 written pages, folds, overall light rust tone, otherwise in excellent condition. Envelope is INCLUDED.

American music critic (1874-1935) at The New York Press and foreign music correspondent for The New York Herald Tribune. Autograph letter in English signed by him and dated December 4, 1924, to maestro Arturo Toscanini: “…We are glad, though, that our good Ugo Ara [1876-1936, musician] can be the bearer of our messages (…) The announcement that you would probably be here to conduct the Philharmonic as “guest” in some concerts set the musical world at…”.  Right after, there is a short text of greetings from Mary Hardy, wife to Max Smith. Size is 5.3 x 6.7 inches each page, 4 written pages in one folded sheet, with letterhead of Hotel Astor New York, folds, in very good condition.

Czech impresario and musician (1825-1887), very successful in the United States later in his life, also coach and manager of star soprano Adelina Patti at the beginning of her career.  Autograph letter signed by him, 4 pages in 2 sheets, in English, about business matters. Each page is 7.25 x 4.25 inches, in very good condition.

Czech-born American impresario (1825-1887) and Moravian-born impresario (1835-1892), these two brothers emigrated  to the United States in the mid-nineteenth century. Maurice became particularly known as the coach and manager of star soprano Adelina Patti at the beginning of her career while Max gained recognition as  theatre manager and impresario as well as a presenter of vocal concert performances focusing on Italian opera. Set of 1 2.75 x 9.5 inch autograph musical quote, 5 bars of music, signed by Maurice in Cincinnati in 1849,  and a 1 x 4 inch signature cut of Max Strakosch mounted on a 7.5 x 11 inch album page. Both in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

Moravian-born impresario (1835-1892), who along with his brother Maurice emigrated  to the United States and gained recognition as an theatre manager and impresario as well as a presenter of vocal concert performances focusing on Italian opera. Signed cabinet photograph, inscribed. Photo by Mora, New York. Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

American singer (1902-1993), music promoter, and patron of the arts. Autograph letter in French signed by her, to the French actor Georges Wagué (1874-1965), dated 1938.  Size is 5.5 x 7.8 inches, 1 page written on soft cardboard, in excellent condition.

French opera administrator and writer (1745-1819), head of the Paris Opera. Autograph letter signed, in french, 1 page, sold untranslated. Size is 7.4 x 9 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a written envelope, size 4.6 x 3.9 inches, in excellent condition.

Swiss businessman and violin collector (1810-?). Autograph letter in Italian signed by him, dated October 23, 1876, to violinist Emanuele Rovelli (1836-1912), son of the composer Pietro (1793-1838), sending back a violin and a guitar, which he bought from him. Size is 8.3 x 10.4 inches, 1 page, folds, signs of pressure, missing paper at the bottom, in overall fair condition.

German bookseller (1837-1896) and music publisher, affiliated to B&H since 1896. Fine autograph letters signed by him as “Breitkopf Härtel”, dated in Leipzig, Dec. 28, 1899, and in  Leipzig, Nov. 12, 1896, and sent to the Italian composer Giovanni Tebaldini (1864-1952) about publishing matters. The publisher kindly asks to take care of the German professor and musicologist Hermann Kretzchmar (1848-1924) who will be traveling in Italy and will be visiting Tebaldini in Padua. Furthermore, the publisher asks about a music collection Tebaldini was working on. 3 pages long, in excellent condition. In the 12 November letter Volkmann addresses Tebaldini in French, concerning a work on Saint Francis: "... If we were already obliged to the article on 'Franciscus' in the Revista Musicale of Turin which shows the pen of the erudite artist and which we have perused with the keenest interest, we are no less grateful to you for all the steps you have been kind enough to take with the aim of an Italian adaptation of the text of St. Francis and the execution of this masterful work in Italy...". 3 pages long, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Official program for the Mourning Ceremony of Wieland Wagner (who died October 17th , 1966). Bayreuth Festival House 21st october 1966. Also included is a Season’s greetings card inscribed and signed by Winifred Wagner (1897-1980), wife of Siegfried Wagner.

Star Italian director (1923-2019) and producer of operas, film and television - one of the world's most famous operatic designers.  Original signed photographs of the artist in different sizes and conditions (for more details please check individual descriptions). Scroll down to see all the autographs and click on each to enlarge or see more photos if available. SOLD INDIVIDUALLY.