Directors, Impresarios, Librettists & Editors

Italian librettist (1888-1977) and creator of the libretto of Cecilia (opera by Licinio Refice). Signed photo, inscribed, dated in 1934, blind stamp on front by photographer Ettore Reale, Roma. Size is 5.9 x 9.5 inches, minor silvering around borders, otherwise in excellent condition.

English music critic and musicologist (1868-1959). Set of two autograph letters signed by him, as follows: A. Dated 13/VI/1937, to Arturo Toscanini, concerning music transcriptions: “…The score “L’Incoronazione” only arrived last night (…) As soon as I get a free afternoon I will go through [Giacomo] Benvenuti’s transcription, comparing it with the original. I heard the work about fifteen years ago at Oxford, where it was quite well performed by amateurs, in a transcription by a young scholar, J.[ack]. A.[llan] Westrup [1904-1975], who is now at the “Daily Telegraph”. This transcription has never been published however. By all accounts, at Florence the other evening they made a “grand opera” à la “Aida” of it!…”. Size is 5.46 x 6.94 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back) letterhead, folds, in very good condition. Envelope INCLUDED. B. Dated 24/V/1938, to Arturo Toscanini, concerning Monteverdi transcriptions: “…A thousand thanks for the Monteverdi facsimile which you have been kind enough to send me (…) It was a happy idea of Benvenuti’s to publish a facsimile of the Venetian manuscript: it throws light on several questions connected with the work, and Malipiero’s edition…”. Size is 3.4 x 4.6 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, with letterhead, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

English music critic and musicologist (1868-1959). Typed letter in English signed by him. Size is 5.4 x 7 inches, 1 page, 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. 

San Francisco -based Opera stage director Carlo Piccinato shown with his wife Nancy Piccinato, signed photograph, shown as themselves on the steps of an airplane in Chicago, dated in 1958. Signature has both their first names but is in one hand.  Stamped on verso by Metro News Photographers, Chicago. Size is 8 x 10 inches, in excellent condition.

German stage manager at the Munich Opera and actor (1841-1921). Signed album page with a 3.5 x 5.5 inch photograph mounted on soft cardboard, inscribed and dated in 1913. Signature is on the right side of the album page. Total item size is 8 x 10.25 inches, in excellent condition.

German stage manager at the Munich Opera and actor (1841-1921). Signed half-tone postcard photograph, dated in Munich in 1897. Photo by Max Marcus, Berlin. Size is 3.75 x 5.5 inches, slight wear and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in good condition.  

German stage manager at the Munich Opera and actor (1841-1921). Signed half-tone photo attached to a cardboard, inscribed and dated in 1902. Signature is on the card. Size is 6.5 x 6.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian dramaturg, opera connoisseur and opera critic (1911-2003), served as chief dramaturg at both the Vienna Volksoper and Vienna State Opera at various times. Signed photo, shown as himself. Size is 4 x 6 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian dramaturg, opera connoisseur and opera critic (1911-2003), served as chief dramaturg at both the Vienna Volksoper and Vienna State Opera at various times. Signed photo, shown as himself. Size is 4 x 6 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian dramaturg, opera connoisseur and opera critic (1911-2003), served as chief dramaturg at both the Vienna Volksoper and Vienna State Opera at various times. Signed photo, shown as himself, dated in 1967. Stamped on verso by Dietrich photo studio, Vienna. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.  

American impresario, a member of the Board of Directors of the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Typed letter signed by him, dated April 15, 1935, to Arturo Toscanini, concerning the journalist Adolph Ochs, owner of the New York Times: “…Here is an excerpt from the obituary notice of Adolph Ochs, printed in the New York Times of April 9th. I regard it as the expression of an impression which most men have, but which most men have been unable to express as Mr. Ochs has done…”. Size is 5.8 x 7.9 inches, 2 typed pages in one sheet (front and back), central fold, with letterhead, in excellent condition.

American impresario, a member of the Board of Directors of the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Typed letter in English signed by him, dated February 14, 1935, to Arturo Toscanini, congratulating him the day after a concert at the Carnegie Hall on February 13th, 1935. Size is 5.8 x 8 inches, 2 typed pages in one sheet (front and back), central fold, overall rust tone, in excellent condition.

American playwright (1892-1967), and winner of the Pulitzer prize in 1929.  Signed note written on a postcard back, dated in 1951.  Size is 5.5 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition.

French General Administrator of the Theatre National, Opera Comique in Paris, 2 autograph notes signed on the company's official letterhead (one on both the front side and verso, the other only on the front), both written in French and sold untranslated. Bold handwriting and signature. Size of each is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, both in excellent condition. Not sold separately.

Italian impresario (1805-1875), composer, and baritone who run a theatrical Agency in Florence during his lifetime. Set of 7 autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by Luigi Ronzi, both dated 1872, and addressed to Innocenzo Canedi and a certain Azzolino, plus a set of 5 autograph letters signed by the Ronzi brothers such as Pollione and Stanislao (brothers of Luigi). Different sizes, lenghts, conditions, and formats (see scans provided). SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French writer (1805-1870), journalist, and director of the Paris Opera between 1847 and 1854. Set of 2 autograph letters signed by him. One of them, dated 1837, was written by a third hand but signed by him. Size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, 1 page in French, in very good condition. The second one is an autograph note written and signed by the writer, with letterhead, 1 page in French, size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATED.

German impresario (1842-1889), best remembered for founding an English Opera Company "The Carl Rosa Opera Company" in 1869. Autograph letter signed with the letterhead of this company, 2 pages. Each page is 5 x 8 inches, minor rust tone over upper and low borders, otherwise in very good condition.

German-born violinist and opera impresario (1842-1889), famous for his English opera company. 2-bar autograph music quote from an Elegy signed by him on a card. Size is 3 x 1.8 inches, mounting traces on verso, in overall very good condition.

German-born impresario (1842-1889), famous for his English opera company. Autograph note signed, undated in New York. Size is 5 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

German-born impresario (1842-1889), famous for his English opera company. Attractive signed 3 x 4.5 card mounted on an 7.75 x 11 inch album page, in excellent condition.

American impresario (1899-1966), theatrical showman, lyricist, and columnist. Gorgeous poster with a water color drawing of George M. Cohan, by artist Vic Guiness, signed by Rose over the lower-left corner and also by numerous artists from the 1930s and 1940s. Sketch is signed by Broadway and Vaudville actors , producers etc. including Billy Rose in 1933.  Size is 19.75 x 11.8 inches, mat burn marks, in overall good condition.

German theatre director (1905-1982), artistic director, and manager. Black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him; ink-stamped on verso by photographer Atelier Dietrich. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a 1-page program, size is 5.75 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition; and a 4-page card brochure.

French art and music patron (1862-1957), owner of the journal La Grande Revue and manager of the Théatre des Arts and the Paris Opera. Set of 2 of his original printed business cards with a short message in French written by him. Size is 3.6 x 2.5 inches, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

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.

American Opera impresario (1871-1937), director of the Boston Opera Company.  Autograph note signed and dated in 1910, with letterhead of the Boston Opera. Size is 8.5 x 5.4 inches, age toning, in very good condition.

German impresario (1830-1900). Autograph note on a postcard with the image of Pietro Mascagni and his son Mimí (Domenico) signed by the impresario, dated in Berlin, December 15, 1899, who organized the Teatro La Scala Orchestra tournée in 1899.  Size is 5.7 x 3.7 inches, in excellent condition.

German opera stage director (1880-1961) who emigrated to the USA in 1935.  Signed photo, inscribed with a short sentiment in German, dated in New York, 1937.  Size is 7.9 x 9.9 inches, in excellent condition.

American opera impresario (1859-1927). Typed note signed in 1917, written to an autograph collector, 1 page. Size is 4.3 x 6.9 inches, in excellent condition.

American theatre director and librettist (b. 1957) noted for his unique contemporary stagings of classical and contemporary operas and plays.  Signed photograph, shown as himself. Photo by Thomas Ramstorfer. Size is 7 x 9.5 inches, in excellent 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.

Italian playwright, writer, critic, and librettist (1875-1952), noted for his close collaboration with Giuseppe Adami on Puccini's Turandot.  Signed photograph, shown as himself, inscribed, dated in Milan in 1916. Blind stamped by photographer A. Badioli, Milan. This is a 3.5 x 5.5 inch photo mounted onto soft cardboard, total item size is 5 x 7.5 inches, in excellent 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.

American publisher (1823-1908) who founded in 1852 the noted newspaper "The Culpeper Observer), and also worked as a news correspondent in Washington, D.C. Fine photo-compose mounted on hard cardboard signed by the famous publisher. Size is 13.75 x 11.1 inches, some cracks, in overall 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. Autograph letter signed by him, 1 page in English, dated in 1886, written at The Orton hotel in Wilmington, North Carolina. Size is 6 x 9.25 inches, with a tear on the bottom left not affecting text and signature. The rest of the document has several creases and folds, but is otherwise in good condition. 

Moravian-born impresario (1835-1892), who along with his brother Maurice emigrated  to the United States and gained recognition as a theatre manager and impresario as well as a presenter of vocal concert performances focusing on Italian opera. Album page mounted on a larger piece of blue card signed by him with a short sentiment dated in New Orleans, 1866. Size is 4.75 x 2.4 inches, Total size is 5 x 4.7 inches, in good condition.

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. 

British pianist (1933-2005) and director of Josef Weinberg Ltd Publishing House between 1970-1998. Typed letter in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated 1965, addressed to Francesco Siciliani about some musical collaborations with Teatro alla Scala. Size is 7.4 x 9.8 inches approx., folds, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED are two documents issued by his publishing house with its letterhead.

French impresario (1929-2015) and Director of the Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique (SACEM). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated June 13, 1978, where he addresses the Québécois organist and professor Jean Leduc (1933-2012): "...j'aurai téléphoné à M. Hadjadj (Polydor) au sujet de l'enregistrement du concerto de Tomasi....".  Size is 5.9 x 8.2 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), central fold, creases, printed letterhead, in overall very good condition. Original envelope is ALSO INCLUDED.

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.

Stage Director of the Paris Opera Comique, autograph letter signed, dated in 1864. Written in French, sold untranslated. Written on first two pages of a 4 page folded document. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.

French conductor and theater director (1841-1906), who was also a violinist and composer.  Nice autograph letter signed by him with the letterhead of the "Agence Dramatique", written in French (sold untranslated).  Size is 7.9 x 9.9 inches, 1 page, folds, 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.

Signed program for the Gala Celebration concert in his honor, Metropolitan Opera in New York, 2006. Joseph Volpe (b.1940) was the Met Opera manager and had a 42-year career at the Met Opera. Trifold that is 6.75 x 8.5 inches each page, listing all the artists participating that night, in excellent condition.