A most unusual signed postcard photograph of the great Austrian conductor, composer, and pianist conducting in period dress (wig, lace collar, and cuffs) -- an early-music conductor before his time? He has signed boldly at the foot and dated Basel, September 27, 1930. Although it is not clear for what occasion he would have dressed up in this fashion, Weingartner conducted the Basel Symphony Orchestra from 1927 to 1934, during a period in which figures in Basel including Paul Sacher (a student of Weingartner's) were beginning the study of historical performance practice in that city. Sacher founded the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, an institute for early music, in 1933. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.6 x 13.5 cm). Read More...
A signed postcard photograph of the great Austrian conductor, composer, and pianist, dated June 1933, together with the original envelope used to send the photograph addressed in his hand, postmarked in Basel, June 24, 1933, and an enclosed blank sheet of his stationery. The photograph dates from Weingartner's years in Basel, from 1927 to 1934, during which time he conducted the Basel Symphony Orchestra and directed the city's music academy and its conducting class; his students included Paul Sacher. An attractive portrait of the respected conductor and pedagogue in very fine condition. 4 x 5.75 inches (10.5 x 14.7 cm). Read More...
An original diploma issued by the Musikschule und Konservatorium of Basel in July 1934 and signed by the important conductor Felix Weingartner, director of the academy, as well as Swiss composer Joseph Lauber and two other musicians. The diploma was awarded in piano to a Carl Stotzer for a career as a teacher, with honors; the second page shows Stotzer's grades. Weingartner had come to Basel in 1927 and would lead the music academy and its conducting class as well as directing the Basel Symphony Orchestra for several years. 2 pp. of a bifolium. Some very light foxing, but an excellent signature and overall in fine condition. 9 x 11.5 inches (22.6 x 29.5 cm). Read More...
Original signed photograph of the wonderful Italian soprano, a favorite of Toscanini, in her role as Desdemona. Photographed by the Metropolitan Opera's longtime photographer, Louis Mélançon, and signed boldly by Albanese across the foot of the image. Some significant wrinkles and scratches, with tape remnants at the upper corners; otherwise in good condition overall. 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.3 cm).
Autograph signature from the Italian baritone who made his career in the United States and left a large body of fine recordings. On a postcard of Padua, Amato has signed boldly and dated: Buenos Aires, May 29, 1906. On the verso, the postcard is addressed to the Argentinian collector Ramona Imaz Otaño, with the original stamp and postmark. In very fine condition. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (13.9 x 9 cm). Read More...
Signed halftone photograph of the great Swedish tenor, shown wearing evening dress and an impressive row of medals. Taken from the cover of a 1956 magazine, with a red border. In fine condition, set in an elaborate mat. The image size with signature measures 8.25 x 9 inches and we can safely remove this portion of the cover without damage if buyer desires; the borders currently matted out of site in the presentation are glued down and would not survive extraction from the current setup. 14.5 x 15.5 inches overall.
An elegant original photograph of La Divina, boldly signed and inscribed and dated 1974. Photographed by Christian Steiner for Angel Records. Slightly irregularly trimmed, with mounting remnants on the verso and some small losses to verso surface, otherwise in very good condition. 8 x 10.25 inches (20.1 x 26 cm).
A charming vintage caricature postcard of the great tenor, shown with exaggeratedly tiny legs and a massive chest. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.9 x 14 cm).
Sepia postcard photograph by A. Dupont of the great tenor as the Duke, boldly signed in brown ink by the great tenor. 10 x 16 cm, lower left margin slightly trimmed, laid down to rigid backing, small tear slightly affecting first letter, otherwise fine.
Original photograph and autograph signature of the great Russian basso, mounted together in an elaborate mat in shades of brown. Chaliapin is shown perusing a large score, and has signed on a small card: "Souvenir of Chaliapin, 1932." In fine condition, though likely impossible to extricate from the current presentation. Photograph 7 x 7 inches (17.5 x 17.7 cm); signature 3.75 x 2.25 inches (9.5 x 5.7 cm); total size 14 x 16.25 inches (35.5 x 41.2 cm).
Signed photograph postcard of the great Russian bass, with the original stamp of the photographer, Rob Johansons of Riga. Chaliapin has signed boldly at the lower right, adding the date 1930. 8.5 x 13.5 cm. A fine uninscribed example.
Signed portrait photograph of the Spanish soprano, incomparable in La Boheme, Manon and Madama Butterfly and a specialist in French and Spanish art song. Photographed by Christian Steiner for Angel Records, signed and boldly inscribed. Mounting remnants on the verso, otherwise in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.7 cm).
Autograph signature from the supreme Norwegian soprano, boldly penned on her embossed letterhead. In very fine condition, as perfect an example as we've seen. 5.5 x 4.25 inches (13.8 x 10.8 cm).
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:SignatureOpera
Charming signed photograph of Fleming in the 1999 Metropolitan Opera production of Susannah. She has signed and inscribed boldly in silver marker. Photographed by Christian Steiner. 4 x 6 inches, nicely matted to 9 x 11 inches (22.6 x 27.8 cm).
176.
[Opera Singers]
Gobbi, Tito. (1913-1984). Signed Costume Photograph as Rodrigo in Don Carlos
Original signed doubleweight photograph of the marvelous baritone, a favorite of Callas, in costume as the Marquis of Posa in Verdi's Don Carlos. Stamped on the verso by the photographer, Paul Hansen. Mounting remnants on verso; otherwise in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.4 x 25.3 cm).
Original Benque of Paris cabinet photograph of the great French bass, signed and inscribed at the head. Gresse is pictured in Wagnerian costume with a braid and a feathered helmet, and has inscribed the picture to a M. Louis Messon, dated Paris, July 28, 1889. Very light foxing; overall in very fine condition. 5.25 x 8.5 inches (13.4 x 21.4 cm). Read More...
8 x 10 inch photograph with the raised stamp lower right of Atlantic Photos (Atlantic City, NJ) showing Jenkins on the boardwalk, wearing a bucket hat festooned with appliquéd palm trees, and one of the dowdy coats with fake fur collars for which she was notorious among her circle, her purse cradled under her left arm. Read More...
Rare privately issued gramophone recording of Florence Foster Jenkins, inscribed by Barber on the label "This great example of American singing - for Herbert - with warmest greetings / Sam Barber." Read More...
Original and very rare program from the notoriously awful soprano's 1944 Carnegie Hall recital - her final and only public performance. Dated October 25, 1944. Jenkins, assisted by her regular pianist, Cosmé McMoon, performed songs and arias by Gluck, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and others (some in costume) and a world-premiere by André Kostelanetz, commissioned for the recital. The sold-out audience included Lily Pons, Kostelanetz, Cole Porter, Marge Champion, Kitty Carlisle, Gian-Carlo Menotti and others. She died only a month after the recital. We have only seen one other example of this rare program and are very pleased to offer this example around the time of the release of the French film "Marguerite" loosely based on the singer's life, and of the hotly anticipated Meryl Streep film "Florence Foster Jenkins," also out this summer. 15 pp. Very light vertical crease, overall in fine condition. Read More...
Signed 8 x 10 inch early promotional photograph of the American soprano, whose career was mostly in Europe and included some 500 performances as Carmen in such venues as La Scala, Glyndebourne Opera House and Covent Garden, not to say a bullring in Seville, Spain. At La Scala, she earned ovations from opera-goers and jealousy from the wives of male co-stars and the occasional female singer ("Fedora Barbieri told people that when I sang Carmen, I didn't wear any underwear"). A San Francisco critic once described her Carmen as "very animal, very unscrupulous, but fascinating; her feline grace made her the most believable Carmen that our stage has ever seen." This example with some in-painting to the image, heavy crazing to the surface, and rather faded inscription and signature.