Signed color photograph of the great dancer, onstage as the Faun in the Joffrey Ballet's 1979 tribute to Nijinsky. He has signed boldly in black at the left. Photographed by Jack Vartoogian, with the photographer's copyright on the verso. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.3 cm).
Striking original photograph of the great dancer in Murray Louis' "Moments" in 1975, boldly signed at the left. Photographed by Beverley Gallegos. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.3 cm). Read More...
Original souvenir program from a showcase performance of the great ballerina, given on one of her highly publicized American tours of 1921–25. The cover features a raised, stylized image of a sculpture of Pavlova; inside, the program (including "Dionysus," "Fairy Tales," "The Fairy Doll," "Les Preludes," "Snowflakes," and other numbers) is described in detail, with several full-page photographs of the dancer. Bound with a brown silk cord; some wear to the edges and spine; overall in fine condition. 9.25 x 12.5 inches (23.8 x 31.7 cm). Read More...
An exceptional postcard format Count Jean de Strelecki photograph of Pavlova in Le Cygne, boldly signed by the dancer across the image. Postally unused, a few surface impressions and silvering around the edges, overall fine. 9 x 14 cm. Read More...
An original pen and ink illustration of the great Spanish lyric soprano by artist George Krishizki, boldly signed by De Los Angeles and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1972 / Victoria de Los Angeles singing Manuel de Falla's 'Jota.'" 9 x 12 inches. Read More...
A group of two autograph letters and an original telegram from the Polish opera singer brothers, a bass and tenor who were among the most illustrious opera stars of the late nineteenth century, to the English singer, pedagogue, and critic Herman Klein. The first letter (August 10, 1891; 3 pp. on a black-bordered bifolium) concerns plans for the De Reszke's tour of the United States: Jean de Reszke writes that he is "horribly disappointed" to inform Klein that: "my brother-in-law [banker Leopold Julian Kronenberg] does not want to go back on his decision to travel with us to America as our secretary. He writes that he has found a replacement to direct his assets during the winter, and that he will not allow us to go back on our word." The second letter (August 9, 1904; 2 pp.), from Edouard de Reszke, thanks Klein for his letter and promises that "as regards the singing method, we will put off this matter until later, since at the moment I have tour offers for concerts in America." The original telegram, signed "Reszke," (July 17, 1890) accepts an invitation from Klein. Telegram heavily toned with some edge wear; letters overall in fine condition, 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.7 cm). Read More...
Four original letters, three typed letters signed and one autograph letter, from the great American soprano and actress, to the English musician and critic Herman Klein. The autograph note (dated "Friday," 2 pp. on a small notecard) thanks Klein for his note and mentions she is "so glad you found pleasure in the small role the other evening." The three typed letters signed (January 26, January 28, and March 26, [n.y.], on Hotel Knickerbocker letterhead; each 1 p.) send Farrar's regrets for not being able to receive a friend of Klein's and for declining an invitation, and send him further autographs, including "one of the prettiest I have had." In very fine condition overall.
Handwritten envelope cover in the hand of the supreme Norwegian soprano, addressed to a Miss Anna Giardinelli in Brooklyn, N.Y., and with the original stamp and postmark. One large tear and several tape reinforcements, with rough edges and toning; overall in good condition. 10.25 x 8 inches (26.2 x 21 cm).
A bold autograph signature from the legendary honey-voiced tenor, signed on the cover of a menu from the Savoy Restaurant in London and dated 1946. In blue pencil, Gigli has penned in Italian his "thanks for the good polenta!" Further collector's note in German on the back cover of the menu; light toning; overall fine. 5 x 7.5 inches (12.8 x 19 cm). Read More...
An attractive autograph musical quotation in the hand of the German operatic baritone particularly known as an interpreter of the Lied repertoire. On a small album leaf, he has penned an AMQS of four measures from German composer Carl Loewe's setting of Goethe's "Der Schatzgräber." He has signed below and dated Berlin, December 5, 1897. In very fine condition. 5 x 6.25 inches (12.6 x 16 cm).
Autograph letter from the American soprano, wife of the German-born singer and composer George Henschel, to the actress Ada Rehan. January 28, [n.y.]. Henschel writes to thank Rehan for her theatrical performance the previous night: "... it is seldom that one gets real enjoyment at the theatre nowadays, in this present reign of dilettantism or rather of amateurishness, that such an experience as we had yesterday is the rarest of occurrences for us; it made an already bright day (for it was the occasion of a flying visit from my husband, who is spending the winter in Glasgow conducting the new Scotch orchestra there) quite perfect..." She goes on to invite Rehan to call on her for lunch. 4 pp. on a bifolium. Slightly irregular toning, one pin hole and a corner crease with a small tear; overall in very good condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.8 cm).
Signed 8 x 10 inch photograph of the great Italian tenor, who was regarded at the Met as Caruso's successor in dramatic roles. Martinelli is shown in an elaborate costume as Radames in Aida, and has signed boldly at the lower right and dated 1935. A very poor contrast signature and some light wear to the edges and surface, but overall in fine condition. 20.4 x 25.8 cm.
Original souvenir program, printed on silk with a tasseled border, from a 1903 royal command performance of the Royal Opera given in honor of the visit of the President of the French Republic. The performance, on July 7, 1903, starred Nellie Melba, Emma Calvé, and Alessandro Bonci in a scene from Rigoletto and the second acts of Carmen and Romeo et Juliette. The program features a large decorative border with portraits of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Large central folding crease and some slight wrinkling (which could likely be removed); overall in fine condition. 12.5 x 16.5 inches (31.5 x 42 cm).
Original souvenir program, printed on silk with a tasseled border, from a 1907 royal command performance of the Royal Opera given in honor of the visit of the King and Queen of Denmark. The performance, on June 11, 1907, starred Enrico Caruso, Nellie Melba, Emmy Destinn, Anton Van Rooy, and other Italian, French, and German singers in scenes from Madama Butterfly, La Bohème, and Die Meistersinger. The program features a large decorative border and is printed in gold ink on high-shine fabric. Large central folding crease and some slight soling and wrinkling (which could likely be removed); overall in fine condition. 12.5 x 16.5 inches (31.5 x 42 cm).
Two original Beaton photographs of the important American soprano and actress in the 1966 Metropolitan Opera production of La Traviata, photographed, signed and inscribed by the photographer and production's costume designer, Cecil Beaton. One photograph is signed "Beaton" at the foot; the other is inscribed to Moffo: "For Anna the most beautiful Violetta - from her grateful designer Cecil. 1966." Some damage to the right edge of both photographs. From the collection of Mario Lanfranchi, Moffo's husband. Read More...
An impressive autograph album containing signatures from over 120 opera singers, conductors, actors, composers, instrumentalists and other personalities, dating from the early 1930's to 2009. The first section of the album contains signatures from the 1930's to 1940's collected in the U.S. and Europe. The second and larger section of the album contains autographs collected in the 1970's to 2000's from musicians performing at the San Diego Opera; a veritable who's-who of late-twentieth-century opera stars with some other celebrities, the collection includes Joan Sutherland, Eleanor Steber, Luciano Pavarotti, Victoria de los Angeles, Gian Carlo Menotti, Birgit Nilsson, Montserrat Caballé, Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle, Claudio Arrau, Dustin Hoffmann, and many others. Many of the signatures are inscribed to the collector, Bob Salmon, a former singer and supporter of the San Diego Opera; many of the singers have added short autograph musical quotations in memory of the roles they performed in San Diego. Handsome full leather binding with gold tooling and raised bands to the spine; some light scratches and edge wear; overall in fine condition. 8.75 x 12.5 inches (22 x 32 cm). Read More...
An original pen and ink illustration of the great tenor by artist George Krishizki, signed and inscribed by Pavarotti and dated 1977. Below his own image, Pavarotti has penned modestly (translated from the Italian): "Much better-looking than the original." The drawing is also signed by Krishizki at the head and titled at the foot: "Luciano Pavarotti / singing 'Marechiare' by F. Paulo Tosti." Slight toning. 9 x 12 inches. Read More...
Signed LP from the Peruvian soprano known as one of the most famous proponents of exotica music, and renowned for her huge vocal range. Her 1957 album "Legend of the Jivaro" is boldly signed and inscribed on the front cover to Paul McMahon and dated 1989. Capitol Records T770. Light edge wear and some foxing to the back cover, but overall in fine condition. Read More...
Signed halftone photograph of the legendary coloratura soprano, dated 1921. Tipped to a mount of brown paper. Corner creases to both the photograph and the mount, but overall in fine condition. 4.25 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15.1 cm), mounted to 6.75 x 8.5 inches (17.3 x 21.5 cm). Read More...
Photographic reproduction of a charming print by the noted American caricaturist, showing the famous group of writers, critics, actors and wits dining at the Algonquin Hotel. Pictured are: Robert Sherwood, Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Alexander Woollcott, Heywood Broun, Marc Connelly, Franklin P. Adams, Edna Ferber, George Kaufman, Lynne Fontanne, Alfred Lunt, Frank Crowninshield and Frank Case. Slight wrinkling and foxing; overall in very good condition. Image size 9.25 x 8.25 inches, in a vintage mat, 13.5 x 14.5 inches, very likely affixed to mat.