Signed program from the Italian-born American soprano, known for her Verdi and Puccini roles. She performed in Manon at the Metropolitan Opera on November 21, 1959, and has signed on a page advertising her recording on RCA Victor, with a reproduction of a drawing of her (p. 17). Fine. 41 pp. 8 x 11 inches.
A rare signed London Royal Festival Ticket from a November 14, 1952 recital by great Swedish tenor, regarded by many as the greatest tenor in history. Boldly signed in blue ink, and sold together with the complete original recital program.
Typed contract (3 pp.) signed by the great Russian bass, engaging Chaliapin to sing in Boris Godunoff at La Scala from March 22 to April 3, 1930. Signed by Chaliapin on the last page and dated Milan, March 25, 1930. Hole punches, light toning; overall fine. 8.25 x 12 inches (21 x 30.2 cm). Read More...
Signed program from a January 31, 1960 recital of the great Bulgarian basso with the Symphony of the Air and Julius Rudel at Carnegie Hall. Christoff has signed below his photograph on an internal page. The program included arias by Gluck, Mozart, Verdi, Prokofiev and Mussorgsky. Program in very fine condition, together with a separate single-sheet program with some wear, a newspaper clipping and two ticket stubs. Program 7.25 x 9.75 inches (18.7 x 24.8 cm).
Autograph letter signed from one of the last internationally renowned castrati singers, reputed to have been one of Napoleon's lovers, and appointed singing teacher of the Imperial Family. Bologna, May 2, 1818; 1 p. Writing to Giovanni Battista Benelli, impresario at the Opéra Italienne of Paris, Crescentini writes that the present letter will be carried by the Neapolitan impresario Domenico Barbaia, and asks Benelli to assist him during his time in Paris. Translated from the Italian: "Signor Domenico Barbaia, impresario of the theaters of Naples, will be the bearer of this letter. Since he is traveling through Paris on the way to London, I wanted to give him a letter for you [...] If during the short time he will spend in the capital you can assist him, I ask that you make yourself available to support him; you will oblige me very much, being a very good friend. I am still waiting for your response to various letters, and am anxious to know what determination has been made about the pension [room and board.] [...] G. Crescentini." Addressed and postmarked on the verso. Toning, light foxing and folding creases; overall fine. 8 x 9.75 inches (20.4 x 24.8 cm). Read More...
Signed program from the American soprano. She performed in La Fanciulla del West at the Metropolitan Opera on December 7, 1965, and has signed over the cast listing (p. 23). Fine. 61 pp. 8 x 11 inches.
Signed photograph of the Italian soprano ca. late 1950's, inscribed at the foot to pianist Raymond Lewenthal. Stamped on the verso by Foto Troncone of Napoli. Fine. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.6 x 18 cm).
130.
[Opera]
[Opera]. "Martin Famous Opera Velvet...Libretto of Colors" - 1940's Trade Catalogue
New York: Martin Fabrics Corporation. [ca. 1947]. [8] pp. An attractive trade catalogue of velvet samples, marketed as "Martin Famous Opera Velvet" and with names evoking the opera world such as "Traviata," "La Tosca," and "Leonora." Designed to look and feel like a classic Metropolitan Opera program or libretto, the booklet features an Art Nouveau design of a woman playing a lyre on the cover, and boasts on the verso: "This Libretto of Colors conveys only partially the elegance and grandeur imparted by Martin Famous Opera Velvet. It has been prepared with the kind cooperation and permission of Fred. Rullman, Inc., publishers of the official libretto to the Metropolitan Opera Company." Green card stock wrappers held with metal rivets, a bit cocked; decorative string to upper portion of spine; small card with a manuscript note pinned to the inside front wrapper; several pencil notes in margins; overall very good. 8.5 x 11.25 inches (21.8 x 28.7 cm).
Two vintage chair back covers designed to reserve seats, with the word "Reserved" in orange velvet on a red silk background. The two matching covers have two identical panels so that they can be read from either side, and a handsome gold cord handle above the two panels. In very fine condition. Approx. 11 x 7 inches (27 x 18 cm).
Signed photograph from the Irish tenor celebrated for his performances of the operatic and popular song repertoires. He is shown in a portrait by Autrey and has signed and inscribed at the upper right, dating February 1933. Some very slight surface cracks, but overall very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm).
Signed cabinet photograph from the legendary soprano, who is shown as a girl, ca. age 10, and has signed and inscribed at the upper left: "A few years older than the picture / Adelina Patti / Chicago, April 17, 1885." Issued by Scholten of St. Louis. Trimmed, chip to the upper right corner, toning, and mounting remnants to the verso, with some notes in pencil; overall very good. 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15.2 cm). The earliest signed image we've seen!
Very rare signed Alban of Paris photograph of the popular Spanish mezzo-soprano, made famous by her Rossini roles, who left more than 200 recordings but died in childbirth at the age of 40. Supervia has boldly signed and dated 1931, London. Elaborately and beautifully framed, with the visible area of the photograph measuring approx. 13.5 x 21 cm, quite possibly a larger photograph including margins though unexamined out of frame. Read More...
Autograph signature from the great tenor, who died tragically young from a fall at the age of 35, signed very shortly before his death. On a small album leaf, he has penned: "Greetings! / Fritz Wunderlich / September 1966." Right edge rough; further signature to the verso. Overall fine. 6.5 x 7.5 inches (16.5 x 19 cm). Read More...
Menu from a dinner given in honor of the opening of the ballet Les Cent Baisers on July 23, 1935, signed by over 30 members of the ensemble. Signatures include dancer and choreographer Bronislava Nijinska; regisseur Serge Grigoriev, ballerinas Lubov Tchernicheva, Tatiana Riabouchinska, Irina Baronova, Sono Osato, and others; impresario W. de Basil, designers Cecil Beaton and Jean Hugo, costumer Barbara Karinska, conductor Antal Dorati, Russian poet, dancer and librettist Boris Kochno who from 1920 was Diaghilev's secretary, sometimes lover, and eventually main collaborator; and many others. Signed on the second and third pages, mostly in pencil. 4to; faint scattered staining, owner's inscription at upper right of cover. Overall very good. 15 x 9.25 inches (38 x 23.5 cm) when opened. Read More...
137.
[Dance]
[Ballets Russes]. Serge de Diaghileff's Ballet Russe in Philadelphia - 1916 Program
Original program from a March 31, 1916 performance of Serge de Diaghileff's Ballet Russe at the Metropolitan Opera House Company of Philadelphia, conducted by Ernest Ansermet, with a list of 16 principals and a corps de ballet of 790 dancers. The program included Stravinsky's "L'Oiseau de Feu," "Thamar," L'Apres-Midi d'un Faune," and "Le Prince Igor." The program also includes portraits of the principal singers at the Met, including Caruso, Gatti Casazza, and Geraldine Farrar, and many pages of advertising. 48 pp. Wrappers somewhat worn with one small chip and slight split to spine, but intact and internally fine. 10 x 7.85 inches (17.3 x 25.4 cm).
Original copper plate portrait engraving of the important French dancer, choreographer and dance master. A half length portrait of Pecour,elegantly dressed and wearing a plumed cap, pointing with his right hand at his opened notebook with a choreography. The engraving by Chéreau after the painting by R. Fourniere. On laid paper, no watermark visible. A very fresh and clean impression, small creases within the image and to edges, overall fine. 28.3 x 42 cm. Reference: Dict. des éd. d'estampes BnF Estampes, Inventaire du fonds français, graveurs du XVIIIe siècle / par Marcel Roux, 1940, Volume IV, Cathelin-Cochin Père (Charles-Nicolas) p. 317-331 : Chéreau l'aîné (François). 12 x 17.25 inches (31.8 x 44 cm). Read More...
Engraving of a lady and gentleman dancing a minuet, with dance notation illustrating their steps and eight measures of music at the head, from Kellom Tomlinson's 1735 book The Art of Dancing. At the head: "B. II / The regular Order of the Minuet continued or Presenting of the Right Hand. / F. IX." At the foot: "To my much honoured Scholar the most Noble and Pussant Lord William Stafford Howard Earl Viscount and Baron of Stafford, and to the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Stafford, his Lordship's Sister, this PLATE is most humbly inscribed by their very much obliged Servt. Kellom Tomlinson." Somewhat toned, slight tape remnants to verso; overall fine. 7.5 x 9.5 inches (19.3 x 23.8 cm). Read More...
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Signed photograph of the important English ballet dancer and choreographer, who is shown holding a cigarette and has inscribed at the foot to pianist Raymond Lewenthal: "For Raymond in friendship / Anton." N.d., ca. 1950's–1960's. Slightly curled, with one small surface crack; overall fine. 8 x 10 inches (18 x 24.4 cm).
141.
[Dance]
Fosse, Bob. (1927–1987). Signed American Guild of Variety Artists Application, at Age 16
A very early signed document from the important dancer and choreographer, applying for membership in the American Guild of Variety Artists at age 16. November 7, 1943; 2 pp. Fosse has completed both sides of the single-sheet form, giving his name, address, social security number, and details of his act, the Riff Brothers. The form is also signed by Fosse's father, Cyril K. Fosse, and shows that Fosse paid $5.00 as an initiation fee. Folding creases; irregular toning; overall very good. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). Together with a clipped article profiling Fosse from the November 1979 issue of American Film.Read More...
Costume design in pencil and colored ink for a grey dress or tutu decorated with white doves. Ca. 1953, unsigned but apparently in the hand of Sophie Fedorovitch. The attractive sketch is captioned at the right in pencil: "Tally Ho / Net apron with doves /... / 4 or 6 / Blessed Spirits." "Blessed spirits" referring to the well-known ballet sequence in Gluck's opera Orfeo ed Euridice. Toning, wrinkling and edge tears, with a vertical folding crease; overall good. 17 x 13.5 inches (42.5 x 34.8 cm). Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:ArtDance