Unsigned Opera Photos

Large size curtain call photo of a production of Verdi's Aida by Chicago Opera on tour at New York Hippodrome on June 27th, 1933.  Stamped on verso by Standard Flashlight Co., New York.  Size is 20.1 x 12 inches, some cracks and creases, in good condition.

French tenor (1861-1933) whose real name was Raymond Gourron, debuted in 1886 at the Opera of Ghent as Faust in Gounod's opera.

Group of 20 unsigned photos depicting singers in role, from the Arena di Verona opera in Italy, from the 1950s to the 1980s.  Most 7 x 9 inches, several noteworthy artists including Giulietta Simionato, Renato Bruson, and Piero Cappucilli, all in very good condition. Sold only as lot. 

Set of 11 original, unpublished pictures of a performance of Lohengrin and Parsifal, Bayreuther Buhnenfestspiele, 1936 and 1937. Rare pictures taken from the audience, each one is 4.5 inches x 3.25 inches, mounted on a 7.25 x 5.5-inch white cardboard. Rare photographic documentation of the Bayreuth Festival during the infamous Nazi-period in Germany. In excellent condition - sold as a lot only. 

Lot of first pages from 16 issues from 1880s Magazine "Camées Artistiques", with an original albumen photograph at the center each one, featuring artists Adele Isaac, Adelina Patti, Adolphe Duchesne, Alphosine-Helene Richard, Bilbaut-Vauchelet, Caroline Miolan-Carvalho, Charles Garnier, Charles Nicot, Christine Nilsson, Gabrielle Krauss, Henri Sellier, Lasalle, Marguerite Ugalde, Marie van Zandt, Pierre Gailhard and Victor Capoul.  Each page is 10.75 x 15.1 inches, actual albumen photograph is 3.6 x 4.75 inches, in very good condition. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian dramatic soprano (1905-1979), one of the leading sopranos of the 1930s and 1940s, who recorded frequently with Beniamino Gigli. Group of 14 unsigned photos, shown in role mostly at La Scala, Milan. Most are 4 x 5.75 inch photo postcards, but also several larger items, ranging from 6.5 x 9 to 8 x 10 to one at 8 x 10.75 inches. All in excellent condition, sold only as lot. 

Russian bass (1873-1938) who enjoyed and important international career at major opera houses.  Original unsigned large photo shown in the title role of Massenet's Don Quichotte, a role he created in the world premiere in Monaco (1910); signed in pencil by photographer Berton and dated by him in October 13th, 1928.  Size is 11.75 x 15.2 inches, minor damage on borders, otherwise in very good condition.

Leading French-Italian dramatic soprano (1900-2001), active from the late 1920s through the 1940s. Group of 7 unsigned photos, shown in role in Norma, Gioconda, Ballo in Maschera, and Traviata, and as herself. Sizes range from 5 x 7 inches to 8 x 9.5 inches, in excellent condition, sold only as lot. 

Set of 4 photos of the star soprano, 3 are in role (prob. Manon), sized 8 x 10 inches, in double-weight photo paper and stamped on verso by photographer Houston Rogers, London. The last photo shows her as herself, and is 6.75 x 9 inches. Minor mounting traces in the corners, not affecting the image, otherwise in excellent condition.

American soprano (1886-1961), lot of 5 unsigned vintage photos, shown in various roles including in Traviata, Butterfly, among others. Most are 8 x 10 inches and stamped on verso by photographer. All in excellent condition, sold only as lot.

Star Italian tenor (1915-1982), considered one of the greatest voices of the 20th Century. Nice lot of 39 rare unsigned photos of him, in various sizes (from 3 x 4 inches up to 5 x 7 inches, with around a dozen being in the larger size, the rest in 3.5 x 5.5 inches and smaller). Lots of casual, unusual photographs, some on stage shots. All real photos on photo paper, not postcards, in very good condition. Click on thumbnails to see scans.  

Star Italian tenor (1915-1982), considered one of the greatest voices of the 20th Century. Nice lot of 40 rare unsigned photos of him, in various sizes (from 3 x 4 inches up to 5 x 7 inches, with most being around 3.5 x 5.5 inches). Lots of casual, unusual photographs, some backstage. All real photos in photo paper, no postcards, in very good condition. Click on thumbnails to see scans.

Star Italian tenor (1915-1982), considered one of the greatest voices of the 20th Century. Small group of 6 original unsigned photos, shown in various roles, all stamped on verso by Teatro La Scala, photographer E. Piccagliani, except one, in Aida, stamped on verso by photo Bisazza, Verona. Each one is 7 x 9.5 inches, except the last scan, which is 4 x 5.75 inches - all in excellent condition. Sold as a lot only - not sold separately.

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.  Lot of 11 original unsigned photos, all in role, each one stamped on verso by photographer E. Piccagliani, La Scala, Milan. Each photo is 7 x 9.4 inches, except the last one that is 4.1 x 5.75 inches, all in excellent condition. Sold as a lot only - not sold separately.

Group of 9 postcards, 1930s, 4 x 5.75 inches, all from Meistersinger von Nurnberg, including Camilla Kallab, Josef Greindl, Eugen Fuchs, Erich Zimmermann, Fritz Krenn, Ruth Berglund, Maria Muller (2 different postcards) and Martin Kremer, all in excellent condition.

Superstar Spanish tenor (b. 1941), lot of 15 unsigned photos, as himself, with family and with colleagues, taken by photographer Erika Davidson, New York. All stamped on verso by Erika Davidson. Sizes range from 5 x 8 inches to 8.5 x 11 inches, most are 8.5 x 11. All in excellent condition, sold only as lot.

Superstar Spanish tenor, conductor and opera manager (b.1941), one of the greatest of the 20th century and with one of the largest repertoires in opera history, lot of 6 unsigned photos , shown mostly as himself and several in role, sizes range from 7 x 11.5 to 8 x 10 inches. All are in excellent condition, sold only as lot. 

Selection of 13 unsigned photo postcards of French actresses, including Yvonne Printemps, Louise Carletti, Dany Robin, Daniele Godet and others. Most are  3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Group of 65 photo postcards of French opera singers, Collection Artistique du Vin Desiles, each one is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in very good condition. Many famous names, each one showing a printed signature and inscription by each singer. Not sold separately.

Group of 65 photo postcards of French opera singers, Collection Artistique du Vin Desiles, each one is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in very good condition. Many famous names, each one showing a printed signature and inscription by each singer. Not sold separately.

French mezzo-soprano (1837-1905) and creator of the role of Carmen in its world premiere, unsigned photo shown as herself, attached to a slightly larger soft cardboard. Size is 3.25 x 4.6 inches, in good condition.

American soprano (b. 1936), particularly known for her performances in Verdi roles. Lot of 15 unsigned photos, shown mostly in role at the New York City Opera. Sizes range from 7 x 9 to 8 x 10 inches. In excellent condition, sold only as lot. 

Italian-American soprano (1901-1986), lot of 6 unsigned photos, shown mostly as herself and 1 in role. All but one are 8 x 10 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian-American tenor (1868-1948), who was also teacher, impresario and song composer. Giannini was one of the first tenors to make recordings, and was the father of famous soprano Dusolina Giannini (1902-1986). Large vintage photo, unsigned, shown as himself, size is 8 x 11 inches, some storage holes on corners, in good condition.