Original Nicholas Muray bust portrait photograph signed by the German-American conductor with his name alone "Hans Lange" in blue ink. Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Joining the New York Philharmonic in 1927 as a violinist, Lange began conducting in short order, becoming assistant to Arturo Toscanini. From 1936–1946, he served as Associate Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Signed program from a September 27, 1960 performance of Verdi's La forza del destino (here "Die Macht des Schicksals"), conducted by Dmitri Mitropoulos at the Wiener Staatsoper. Mitropolous has signed over the cast list on a 3 pp. program, separate from the larger playbill. Together with a clipped halftone photograph of the conductor. Fine. 5 x 8.5 inches (12.8 x 21.8 cm).
Collection of seven Western Union telegrams dated 1939–1955 addressed to Pierre and Doris Monteux from famous composers and musicians such as Igor Stravinsky, Rudolf Serkin, Max Rudolf, and Arthur Fiedler. Five telegrams convey birthday wishes to Pierre Monteux, from Stravinsky (April 3 1950, 8:12 PM) in full, "Although bodily not present at Monteux's celebration I will be spiritually with this most important orchestra builder and conductor of our time. Long life to Pierre Monteux," Serkin (April 3 1950, 2:43 PM) in part, "Happy birthday to you dearest Maestro," Fiedler and his wife Ellen (April 4 1950, 9:22 AM) in part, "Regret exceedingly impossible to arrive in time to accept your kind invitation," humorist Herb Caen (April 3 1950, 1:47 PM) in full, "Dear Chummy congratulations on reaching the half way mark of your great career the best is yet to come regards," and pianist Samuel Lipman (April 4 1955, 5:22 AM) in part, "Best wishes for many more years of good health [s]uccess and service to your ideal." Together with two telegrams of miscellaneous correspondence, including one from Max Rudolf (November 16 1953, 6:31 PM) and another from a couple identified only as "Joan and Brian" (November 16 1939, 11:05 PM). 8 x 5.75 inches (20.3 x 14.5 cm.). Fine. Read More...
Signed photograph of the German conductor and teacher, inscribed "To Larry Davis, / with warmest wishes, / cordially, / Max Rudolf / March 10, 1958". Inscription somewhat faint but fully visible, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.32 x 25.4 cm.).
Larry Davis was the auditorium manager at Indiana University, where he had the opportunity to meet, and collect autographs from, numerous great performers.
Signed program from a March 19, 1961 all-Beethoven concert of the Vienna Philharmonic under German conductor Carl Schuricht, with piano soloist Wilhelm Backhaus. Schuricht has signed over the first page of the program. The concert included the Coriolan overture, the Piano Concerto no. 3, and the Symphony no. 8. Some light toning but overall in fine condition. 5.75 x 7.25 inches (14.7 x 19.7 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary Hungarian-born conductor in performance. Solti has signed "Solti" in black felt-tip. Wear to upper margin, surface creases to upper left corner, overall in very good condition. 4 x 3.25 inches (10.2 x 8.2 cm.).
107.
[Conductors]
Stokowski, Leopold. (1882–1977). Typed Letter Signed Clemens Krauss related to the recording of "Fantasia"
Boldly signed TLS from the great conductor to Dr. Clemens Krauss, important Austrian conductor who served as director of the Vienna, Berlin and Munich opera houses. 22 September 1938; 1 pp. In part, "I have just been offered some engagements in the United States which will make it impossible for me to go to Europe next summer. / I am greatly disappointed, but still hope it can be done later in the future." Expected mailing folds, else in fine condition. 7.75 x 9.75 inches (19.7 x 24.8 cm.). Read More...
Uncommon early Trout-Ware doubleweight photograph of the Austrian conductor, who has signed "Walter Taussig / —1934." Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Like many European musicians of the time, Taussig emigrated from Austria to the United States in the 1930s. He found work with the Chicago, Montréal, and San Francisco Operas before joining the Metropolitan Opera in 1949, where he served on the music staff until his death in 2003.
109.
[Conductors]
Thomas, Michael Tilson. (b. 1944). Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts Opening Night Gala - Signed Program, 1986
Concert program signed by the conductor, from a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance at the Great Woods Opening Night Gala on Friday, June 13, 1986. Pieces performed included Fanfare for Great Woods (Short Ride in a Fast Machine by Adams, Overture to the opera Benvenuto Cellini by Berlioz, Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor by Saint-Saëns, Fanfare for the Common Man and A Lincoln Portrait by Copland, and symphonic fragments from Daphnis et Chloe by Ravel. 16 pp. In fine condition. 6 x 11 inches (15.2 x 27.9 cm). Read More...
110.
[Conductors]
Walter, Bruno. (1876–1962). Signed Photograph to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic
Sepia bust portrait photograph of the German-born conductor, pianist and composer, who has inscribed to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic, "To Edward Hochner / cordially / Bruno Walter / New York, January 1935." Small mark to center of image, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Autograph letter signed by the prolific Italian composer. 1 page, no place, no date ("Martedi"), probably Vienna, 15 March, 1843. On his embossed monogrammed personal stationary, "GD," Donizetti writes to one Signor Berizzi, inviting him to lunch with him tomorrow with David and Salvi where "we will speak of Bergamo...love, patrimony etc. if you can join us as I hope tomorrow Wednesday we will all meet at the Caffé Toroni at 5." Executed in black fountain pen ink, usual folds, possible repaired tear, light staining, letter measuring 7' x 5", framed and matted with a period portrait engraving signed "McMurphy" to 13 x 17¾ (33.5 x 44.5 cm.) overall in fine speckled gilt wood frame. Unexamined out of frame but in apparently fine condition overall. Read More...
Autograph letter by the Austro-Hungarian contralto (then, still soprano) to Sophie Mequillet-Biarowsky. 2 pp. (of bifolium), n.d. [February 1836?]. In French. The author, taking a motherly pose, gives her correspondent detailed exhortations for an upcoming engagement during the carnival in Venice in which both participate. In part: "[Alessandro] Lanari counts on you, and I am happy to make you leave his reach and to make you earn during carnival what he should have paid you for the whole year.... After Lent, they will revive Belisario [at La Fenice] with you as Irene and me as Antonina." Also mentioned is a "Count Mocenigo of Venice". Autograph address on p. 4: "Mademoiselle / Mlle Sophie Mequillet- / Biarowsky - Primadonna / Toscana Firenze." 8vo, fold partly detached and frayed; ink bleeding through from both sides. Read More...
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Signed postcard photograph of the superlative German soprano, creator of several Strauss roles and a rare singer equally at ease in roles from Puccini, Beethoven, Wagner, as well as song repertoire. Very fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 14 cm.).
Bifold recital program from a 1950–51 performance in the Seattle area, signed to cover by the American soprano and her frequent accompanist, Ludwig Bergmann. The performance included works from Mendelssohn, Handel, Schubert, Marx, Bizet, Debussy, Thomas, Lahmer, Chajes, and several folksongs and Negro Spirituals. 4 pp. In very fine condition. 6.25 x 9.5 inches (15.9 x 24.1 cm.). Read More...
Signed sepia Setzer of Vienna postcard photograph of the Norwegian operatic tenor, opera director, and voice teacher. The Norwegian Music History Archive states that he was "the greatest dramatic tenor in Norwegian history" and he was particularly admired for his portrayals in operas by Giacomo Puccini, Richard Strauss and above all Richard Wagner. His voice was described by soprano Lotte Lehmann as "a dazzling meteor." In very fine condition. 3 x 5.25 inches (8 x 13.5 cm.).
Two interesting albums of opera programs, photographs, and clippings from England and Germany dating from 1902 to 1931, featuring important early Strauss performances and with with a particular focus on Wagner's operas, the collection including original programs from several summers of the Bayreuth Festspiele in 1906-1911, as well as many Wagnerian and other programs from Covent Garden and Dresden. Of particular interest are the programs for a very early (November 22, 1912) performance of the first version of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos and for its London premiere in 1913; a 1913 Königliches Opernhaus Der Rosenkavalier broadside program and 6 original postcard photographs, featuring some of the role creators, including Margarethe Siems (originator of Marschallin); two 1912 Königliches Opernhaus Ariadne auf Naxos broadsides, featuring several important creators including Margarethe Siems (originator of Zerbinetta). Some of the other featured performers/conductors include Hans Richter, Enrico Caruso, Olive Fremstad, Ernest van Dyck, Emmy Destinn, Marcel Journet, Victor Maurel, Pasquale Amato, Minnie Saltzmann-Stevens, Rudolf Berger, Erik Schmedes, Felix von Kraus, Albert Coates, Artur Bodanzky, Minnie Nast, Josef Pauli, Hans Rudiger, Wilhelm Herold etc. Wear and chips to the lower edge of the Dresden programs (which are slightly too large for the album); general light age wear and toning; albums with spines somewhat rubbed, but structurally sound; overall most items in very good to fine condition. Albums measure 10.5 x 15 x 1.25 inches (27 x 37.5 x 3 cm) and 12 x 16.5 x 1.5 inches (30 x 41.5 x 4 cm). Read More...
Original photographs of the superstar Italian tenor in costume for various productions, including a Giovanni Consoli portrait of Pavarotti as Lord Arturo Talbo in Bellini's I puritani, Rodolfo for a production of Puccini's La bohème, three as the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's Rigoletto. Photographs for La bohème and Rigoletto (2) are marked "Teatro alla Scala," with copyright stamp to verso by E. Piccagliani, third Rigoletto by Lillo foto. Light wear in corners and mild warping, some discoloration to Lillo photograph, else fine. All 5 x 7 inches (12.7 x 17.8 cm.).
Pair of original period Piccagliani of La Scala photographs of the superstar Italian tenor, in costume as Rodolfo for productions of Puccini's La bohème and Nemorino in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore. Copyright stamp to verso by E. Piccagliani. Small creases in corners, light warping, else fine. 4.125 x 5.75 inches (10.5 x 14.6 cm.).
Signed RCA Victor promotional photograph of the great American soprano, who has inscribed "Sincerely / Leontyne Price." Horizontal tear to right margin, image unaffected, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).