Unsigned Opera Photos

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.

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.

Turkish soprano (1928-2008), unsigned photo, shown with composer Francois Poulenc following a performance of his opera "Dialogues Des Carmelites" in its world premiere production at La Scala, Milan in 1957. Especially celebrated for her bel canto interpretations, Gencer's repertoire encompassed over seventy roles. Stamped on verso by Erio Piccagliani, Milan, 9.5 x 7 inches, some bending at corners but otherwise in excellent condition.

Fantastic collection of 98 original photo postcards from Teatro La Scala, from the 1920s, each showing the stage with a scene from one of their opera productions. Each one is sized 5.5 x 3.5 inches, some with some silvering, overall in excellent condition. Most different, a couple of repeats. A great perspective of what opera productions were nearly a century ago, at one of the most famous theaters in the world.

See scans by clicking on the thumbnails.

Lot of 67 unsigned photo postcards of singers mostly in role, each one is approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches with small variations in size, from the 1910s through early 1950s, all in very good condition.

Some are stamped on verso by photographer. Names include Rudolf Berger, Alessandro Bonci, Richard Mayr, Antonio Scotti, Enrico Caruso, Tino Pattiera, Leo Slezak, Anton van Rooy, Ernst Kraus, Emmy Destinn, Hermann Jadlowker and many others. See scans of all items. Not sold individually.

Lot of 71 unsigned photo postcards of singers mostly in role, each one is approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches with small variations in size, from the 1910s through early 1950s, all in very good condition.

Names include Rosa Ponselle, Heinrich Knote, Claudia Muzio, Lotte Lehmann, Mattia Battistini, Alois Burgstaller, Frieda Hempel, Leo Slezak, Carl Braun, Vera Schwarz, Fedor Chaliapin, Carl Seydel, Anton Van Rooy, Putnam Griswold, Enrico Caruso, etc. A couple are from opera impresarios / opera managers, like Giulio Gatti-Casazza. See scans of all items. Not sold individually.

Lot of 72 unsigned photo postcards of singers mostly in role, each one is approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches with small variations in size, from the 1910s through early 1950s, all in very good condition.

Names include Lina Cavalieri, Rudolf Laubenthal, Mattia Battistini, Heinz Bollmann, Meyriane Heglon, Elisabeth Schumann, Paul Bender, Walther Kirchhoff, Rudolf Ritter, Edith Walker, Delia Reinhardt, Ezio Pinza, Walter Soomer, Wilhelm Rode, Magnus Andersen, Emma Eames, etc. See scans of all items. Not sold individually.

Lot of 78 unsigned photo postcards of singers mostly in role, each one is approx. 3.5 x 5.5 inches with small variations in size, from the 1910s through early 1950s, all in very good condition.

Names include Max Lorenz, Amadeo Bassi, Jarmila Novotna, Emmy Destinn (there is a photo postcard of her house as well),  Bidu Sayao, Ernst Kraus, Beniamino Gigli, conductors Arturo Toscanini and Ettore Panizza, Anton van Rooy, Lillian Nordica, Marie Gotze, Mafalda Salvatini, Paul Knupfer, Carl Jorn, Antonio Scotti, etc. A couple are from opera impresarios / opera managers, like Giulio Gatti-Casazza. See scans of all items. Not sold individually.

Group of 9 photo postcards, showing role creators, including: Hariclea Darclee in "Tosca" (2), Rosetta Pampanini in "Delitto e Castigo", Aureliano Pertile in "Nerone" (4), Elisabeth Hongen in "Julietta" and Eirk Wirl in "Der Schatzgraber". In very good condition, not sold separately, see scans.

Lot of 20 original photos from Salzburg Festival, 1961-66.

- Mozart´s opera "Cosi Fan Tutte" 13 photos, cast with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Fiordiligi Christa Ludwig, Dorabella Graziella Sciutti, Despina Waldemar Kmentt, Ferrando Hermann Prey, Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte, Karl Bohm conducting, Salzburger Festspiele 1964, 20 x 15 cm. 

Salzburger Festspiele "Die Entfuhrung..." (1961) and La Finta Giardinera (1966). 1) 3 pictures La finta Giardiniera, Salzburger Festspiele 1966, photograph Ellinger, 20 x 15 cm. 2)  2 pictures from Die Entfuhrung: Ruth Margret Pütz, Konstanze Fritz Wunderlich, Belmonte Renate Holm, Blonde Erwin Wohlfahrt, Pedrillo, Salzburger Festspiele 1961, 20 x 15 cm

ALSO: 2 pictures of Ariadne Auf Naxos, Salzburg Festival 1964, with Christa Ludwig, Sena Jurina, Reri Grist, and Karl Bohm conducting.

Hilde Konetzny, Alexander Kipnis, Franz Volker, Vienna Staatsoper 1936.12.15, photograph Hans Dietrich, 20 x 15 cm, rare!