An unusual early program from a 1937 recital in Argentina by the great African American contralto, with Kosti Vehanen at the piano. Light creases and stains, overall very good. 6.5 x 9 inches. Read More...
Color halftone Gerd Ludwig photograph of the American operatic soprano, who has boldly signed in black felt-tip to the right edge. The image is printed to a loose magazine leaf from an unknown publication, with text to the lower portion reading "Kathleen Battle / Vastly gifted, fiercely perfectionist lyric coloratura soprano, daughter of an Ohio steelworker; 41. Solo. / 'I'm particularly fascinated with black beauty. We are such a spectrum of skin shades and hair textures. When "black is beautiful" was the call of the '60s, that helped broaden the definition of beauty. I hope we continue to open up to the idea of beauty and include all kinds.'" In fine condition. 6 x 8 inches (15.2 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
83.
[Opera]
Alfano, Franco. (1875–1954). Collection of Letters Regarding an Invitation to Speak at the Associazione Culturale Italiana
Collection of four autograph letters signed from the Italian composer and pianist to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, regarding an upcoming speaking engagement. In the first letter (20 June, 1952; 2 pp. on A4 personal stationary), Alfano notes that he would be happy to give a talk on "modalities and their combinations." The remaining three letters, dated 4 and 11 October 1952, together with one undated, regard further details of the trip, questions of programming including interpreters, as well as potential dates. Two holes to left margin of each letter, else fine. Read More...
84.
[Opera]
Bordogni, Marco. (1789 - 1856). Trente-Six Vocalises pour la Voix de Soprano ou de Tenore. VOL. 1 - 3 - SIGNED
Paris: Pacini. 1839. Bound collection of three volumes in one. Upright folio (34 x 26 cm). Livre Premier. Title (vb); Avertissement; 2 - 40pp. [bound with:] Trente-Six Vocalises...No. 2. Title (vb); [blank]; 2 - 49 pp. [bound with:] Trente-Six Vocalises...No. 3. Title (vb); [blank]; 2 - 52 pp. Signed in pencil by the composer to the foot of the first title page, other two titles with the composer's stamped signature. Brown gilt -decorated boards over brown leather. Stamped owner's intials "J.M." to front board and signed also by her to the second front free endpage "Jenny Monserié / 8bre 1839" as well as with a later ownership signature to first front free endpage "Mademoiselle Marguerite Barbier." Scattered light foxing, a few minor pencil marks, covers and spine worn, else fine throughout. Read More...
Original 8 x 10 inch doubleweight sepia photograph of Callas rehearsing with Sir Malcom Sargent at St. James's Palace in London, May 29, 1961 as they prepared for a "Musical Soiree...in aid of the Edwina Mountbatten Trust Fund." Stamps and press clipping on verso. Very fine.
Signed Christian Steiner photograph of the superstar opera soprano and tenor, dated the year of their historic tour together. Inscribed and signed by Callas and signed by Di Stefano. 5 x 7 inches (13 x 17.8 cm). Light surface scratches, overall in fine condition. Read More...
Large original doubleweight Mishkin photograph of the great tenor in costume for "Les Huguenots," boldly signed and inscribed by Caruso to the actress Pauline French, "To Miss Pauline French, Sincerely Enrico Caruso, 1915." One chip to the upper right corner; light wear to edges, overall fine. 22.5 x 11.6 cm. Read More...
Signed portrait photograph of the Italian tenor, one of the greatest of the 20th century, who has inscribed "A Paul / per ricordo / Franco Corelli" in black ink along the white of his shirt. Typed Metropolitan Opera Press Department caption to verso. Overall in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Pair of original Mishkin portrait photographs, roughly 4.5 x 8 inches (9 x 18 cm and 11 x 18 cm), of the supreme Italian baritone. Slightly trimmed and mounted together side by side to a chipped larger sheet, overall fine.
Original Mishkin photograph of the supreme Italian baritone around the time of his first appearance at the Metropolitan Opera on 25 November 1915, as Figaro in The Barber of Seville with Frieda Hempel as Rosina and Giacomo Damacco as Count Almaviva, with Gaetano Bavagnoli conducting. 8 x 10 inches. The image from 1915, this print possibly printed somewhat later, though certainly close to the period. Edges chipped, overall fine.
Original Chas. Pollock of Boston cabinet photograph of the great bass and brother of Jean de Reszke. (6.25 x 4.25 in ) (11 x 17 cm). Verso mount with overall surface skinning, else fine.
Reszke's vast repertory included major Wagner roles, Mephistopheles, Friar Laurence, Don Pedro (L'Africaine), Rocco and Leporello, which he sang at a special centenary performance of Don Giovanni at the Opera in 1887.
A desirable signed early photograph of the honey-voiced tenor in his youthful prime, dated 1932. An attractive blue-hued halftone photograph on a hand-inked frame mount, boldly signed in black ink on the mount and in crisp, very fine condition. (7.5 x 4.5 in) (17.5 x 10.5 cm) Read More...
An extremely rare signed portrait photograph of the notoriously awful soprano, inscribed to Countess de Pokorsky and dated October 26, 1926. Jenkins is shown wearing the Spanish outfit that she featured in her performances of the song, “Clavelitos” (during which she would throw flowers from a basket under her arm into the audience.) Photographed by Elite Studios, New York. Two small mounting remnants on the verso; one corner loss; overall in fine condition. 8.5 x 12.75 inches (21.2 x 32.3 cm). Read More...
Original broadside advertising the historical musical drama "Hero of the North," for which Kelly had composed the music and in which he also performed. According to his memoirs, "it was received with distinguished applause." (Reminiscences of Michael Kelly, p. 183) Read More...
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane [London]: S.G. Fairbrother. 1833. Original July 2, 1833 Theatre Royal, Covent Garden broadside advertising "for the 20th Time a New Grand Opera entitled La Sonnambula" and that "Madame Malibran, having recovered from the hoarseness under which she has been labouring, will have the honour of appearing this Evening, after her return from Cambridge, in her popular Character of La Sonnambula" adding very amusingly that "in consequence of which arrangement the heavy Scenery and Machinery [evidently the cause of her hoarseness!], connected with that Drama, has (by permission of Captain Polhill) been removed for the occasion." The Second part of the program consisted of Weber's "Der Freischutz" performed "for the Last Time" and featuring Schroeder-Devrient in "her highly popular Character." Read More...
Original Cecil Beaton photograph of the important American soprano and actress in costume as Violetta for the 1966 Metropolitan Opera production of La Traviata. Both Moffo and Beaton, who also served as the production's set designer, have signed to the lower margin. Half-inch tear to left margin, mild surface creasing, pen marks to verso with slight impression show-through, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Striking Christian Steiner portrait photograph of the powerful American opera singer, who has signed in black ink. In very fine condition. 6 x 8 inches (15.2 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Signed Kristina Burton photograph of the New Zealand lyric soprano particularly associated with the works of Mozart, Strauss, Verdi, Handel and Puccini. Te Kanawa has inscribed "To Paul / Dame Kiri Te Kanawa" in black ink to the lower right. Photographer's sticker to verso. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
99.
[Jazz & Song]
Baker, Chet. (1929-1988). "Chet Baker Plays and Sings" - SIGNED LP "Hope you enjoy the music tonight"
Uncommon signed album from the tragic jazz great whose intimate playing style established him as a great talent until his drug related death in 1988. 'Chet Baker Plays and Sings' (World Pacific Jazz - ST-20138)m signed and inscribed on the back cover in blue ballpoint, "Pete—Hope you enjoy the music tonight, Chet Baker, Dallas-84." Cover and record both in fine condition. Read More...
Signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A wonderful image of the entertainer who is shown wearing an elaborate feathered headdress on stage during a performance at the Circle Star Theatre in San Carlos, California, signed and inscribed in blue felt tip to one of the theatre's stagehands. Pin holes through each corner, a few light emulsion spots, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).