An important archive of 18 typed signed letters from the great maestro, addressed to either or both of his close friends, the musicians Juri and Vera Jelagin in Houston, TX and spanning the years 1958 - 1961. All on pages approx. 21.5 x 14 cm, all but three signed in ink "Leopold," the others signed with his fanciful paraph. Covering a wide variety of topics, from the personal or cryptic ("If I cable or write you the words 'my mother is alive and well' you will understand. I hope I shall not have to write 'my mother is dead' and give the date") to the professional ("I understand that...have written articles concerning my conducting in the Soviet Union. Would it be possible to obtain these articles and translate them?" ) to the political ("I think it is perfectly safe for you to write your mother if you are cautious ans say nothing that might harm her, particularly as there is an anti-American expression in Moskva") to the auto-biographical ("I enjoyed so much my musical life in the Soviet Union that I wish to return there to make music with those splendid orchestras, and for the unspeakably fine and sensitive public") to the music-related ("As soon as the orchestra pit is enlarged so as to take the whole orchestra with full strings, I would like to conduct Tchaikovsky's PIQUE DAME. Do you know a good English translation. I the mean time [sic] I would like to conduct in concert some parts for orchestra alone. For example, there is the introduction to the first act and later there is a wonderful theme in E Flat Minor in the second scene. It begins this way [Autograph Musical Quotation of 3 measures]...") etc. etc. Read More...
A superb original doubleweight photograph of the handsome young conductor, boldly signed and inscribed "For Mr. Hallowell with much appreciation of his patience with late arriving programs." Hallowell was under contract with the Philadelphia Orchestra to print programs and included with the photograph are two examples of the programs he printed. Read More...
Original Gurney of New York cabinet photograph of the eminent Viennese composer, aka the “Waltz King,” best known for such all-time favorites as “The Beautiful Blue Danube” and the “Emperor Waltz” and for the operetta staple, “Die Fledermaus.” Lower edge trimmed, otherwise fine. 11 x 16 cm.
Purple ink signature, “Johann Strauss,” on a portrait postcard of the eminent Viennese composer, aka the “Waltz King,” best known for such all-time favorites as “The Beautiful Blue Danube” and the “Emperor Waltz” and for the operetta staple, “Die Fledermaus.” The composer has amusingly crossed out the printed "Meister" that preceeds his name below the portrait by Leopold Horowitz (1838 - 1917). 9 x 14 cm and in fine condition.
Munich: Jos. Aibl Verlag. [1898]. First edition. Partitur. Upright folio. 94 pages. [PN] 2885. In original bright yellow publisher's printed wrappers, rebacked, a few small repaired tears to wrapper edges, else fine throughout. Contained in a custom black cloth box lined with marble paper. Read More...
Signed photograph/bio program page from the great Polish-Mexican violinist. Clipped from a program of the Chamber Symphony of Philadelphia and sold together with an attractive original Semo photograph which Szeryng has signed and inscribed also but with the ink faded significantly (20 x 24.5 cm).
Original CDV photograph of the legendary Polish pianist. By Ernst Milster of Berlin, with photographer's imprint on verso. In very fine condition.
The most celebrated pupil of Thalberg, Tausig was also a student of Franz Liszt at Weimar, who described his technique as "infallible." His busy touring schedule weakened his health and he died of typhoid at age 29.
A fine signed postcard photograph of the legendary coloratura soprano, shown in a beautiful silhouette bust portrait. Boldly signed and dated in black ink: "Luisa Tetrazzini / 1920." In very fine condition. Read More...
Bronze portrait medal by Leonard Bistolfi, issued 1952 by the Medallic Art Company. With an incised facsimile signature of Toscanini on the obverse. 2.6 inches, approx. 1/8 inch thick. Some scuffing and minor corrosion, overall good.
Vintage postcard photograph of the legendary Maestro, boldy signed and dated London 4-6-1930. 9 x 14 cm and in very fine condition. An attractive undedicated example.
Vintage unsigned Ellinger of Salzburg photograph of the great Maestros flanking novelist, Thomas Mann. 10.5 x 14.5 cm and in very fine condition. Unusual!
Autograph typed and signed manuscript, a commemoration of the 100th birthday anniversary of Toscanini, with numerous autograph revisions in the hand of conductor Adrian Boult and in another unidentified hand. London, 14. II. 1967. Signed "Adrian C. Boult." To Prof. Stuart Deas, University of Sheffield. "It is very kind of you to invite me to contribute a few words in commemoration of the 100th birthday of that great musician Arturo Toscanini. I first met him ..." Reporting in detail his encounters with Toscanini and attempting to explain his "mastery." Read More...
Autograph letter to the noted Columbian musicologist, Otto de Greiff (1903 - 1995) from the American pianist and harpsichordist who was particularly associated with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. 2 pages, quarto. Reading, PA. July, 1938. With holograph envelope and an attractive early signed broadside mentioned in the letter. Read More...
236. Vadé, Jean Joseph. (1719-1757). Oeuvres de M.Vadé ou Recueil des Opéras Comiques, Parodies et Pièces fugitives de cet Auteur Avec les Airs, Rondes & Vaudevilles Noté
La Haye: Chez Pierre Gosse. 1785. 2 volumes in-12° (10 x 17 cm). 323 & 299 pp. Full leather, ornate gilt stamping on spines. Small chip to head of spine of Volume 1, else fine throughout. Each volume containing approx. 50 pp of printed music. Read More...
An interesting collection of 8 signed autograph letters (4) and postcards (4) from the American dramatic soprano of Hungarian heritage and Swedish birth, one of the greatest of all Wagnerian heroic sopranos. All addressed to a young voice student, Jeanne Michael, written between 1944 and 1950. Some with very interesting content, a few excerpts as follows: Read More...
Bold autograph and inscription from the great Italian composer who takes a place among the most influential figures in the history of opera. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:SignatureOpera
Venezia: Tipografia Teresa Gattei. 1857. First edition, first issue. Libretto in tre atti e un prologo di F. M. Piave per musica espressamente composta dal Maestro Giuseppe Verdi...da eseguirsi Nel Gran Teatro La Fenice. With the cast list including Leone Giraldoni, Luigia Bendazzi, Giuseppe Echeverria, Carlo Negrini, Giacomo Vercellini and Andrea Bellini. Text on pp. [5] - 40. 11.5 x 17 cm. Original green wrappers in unusually fine and well-preserved condition, very fine throughout. An extremely rare libretto, issued for the work's premiere and predating any printed issues of the music. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:LibrettoOpera
Original photograph by Lemercier et Cie, mounted, as issued, on the cover of issue 63 of "Paris-Theatre," published the week of July 30, 1874. Photograph in very fine condition. Full issue measures 23 x 35 cm.