Signed program from a 1960 recital of the legendary baritone and noted lied interpreter, accompanied at the piano by Jörg Demus. Both have signed boldly over the program listing. The concert took place on June 10, 1960, as part of the Wiener Festwochen, and included songs by Hugo Wolf. 8 pp. In very fine condition. 5.75 x 8.25 inches (15 x 21 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary Golden Age soprano, who is shown in a sepia portrait in profile, and has signed at the lower right: "Yours sincerely / Mary Garden." Some edge wear, with one larger chip to the upper edge; overall very good. 4 x 6 inches (10.7 x 15 cm).
Autograph musical quotation of the Italian composer's instantly recognizable aria, "Ridi pagliaccio." Penned on a small card, signed and dated London, September 21, 1911. Some light toning; overall fine. 4.5 x 3.25 inches (11.4 x 8.8 cm).
Leoncavallo is best remembered for his opera Pagliacci, first produced in 1892 in Milan and wildly popular ever since.
Signed stage photograph of the important mezzo-soprano in costume, likely as Klytemnestra in Strauss' Elektra. She is shown in a dramatically framed shot and has signed in silver pen at the upper right. Stamped on the verso with copyright credit from photographer Beth Bergman. In very fine condition. 6 x 3.75 inches (15.4 x 9.4 cm).
Signed photograph of the great soprano, who is shown wearing a bonnet, long dress, and carrying her distinctive long, decorative cane. She has signed across the image. One very slight corner crease, but overall very fine. 3.25 x 5 inches (8.3 x 13.5 cm), mounted to 5 x 7 inches (12.8 x 18 cm). Read More...
166.
[Opera]
[Opera]. Collection of Italian Opera Libretti and Ballet Synopses
An interesting collection of 10 early-19th-century Italian libretti and ballet synopses, from productions at Milan's La Scala and Teatro alla Canobbiana. Included are librettos to: Nè l'un, nè l'altro by Simon Mayr (Milan: Giacomo Pirola, [1807]; 64 pp.); Il Sofi Trippone, ossiano I Desiderii by Francesco Ruggi (Milan: Tipografia Pirola, [1804]; 72 pp.); Idomeneo by Vincenzo Federici (Milan: Giocamo Pirola, [1806]; 36 pp.); and La Donna Bianca d'Avenello by Stefano Pavesi (Milan: Gaspare Truffi, [1830]; 52 pp.). The ballet synopses included are: Il Matrimonio per Concorso (Milano: Antonio Fontana, [1826]; 2 copies); Cleopatra Regina di Siria (Milano: Giacomo Pirola. [1824]); Le Sette Reculte (Milan: G. Truffi e Comp., [1832]); Ipermestra ossia Le Danaidi (Milano: Carlo Dova, [1832]); and Tamerlano (Milan: Giacomo Pirola, [1816]). In very good to fine condition overall, two with marbled paper wrappers. Read More...
Original 1942 press photograph of Long as Sportin' Life in the Gershwin classic, surrounded by the cast in the number "It Ain't Necessarily So." Original press clipping on the verso stamped November 14, 1942. Slight scratches; overall in fine condition. 21.8 x 20 cm. Stamped by the photographer, George Karger on the verso. Together with a vintage album page, inscribed and signed in blue ink "From Sporting Life / Porgy + Bess / Avon Long," dated Oct. 16, 1943 in pencil in another hand, lower right. Read More...
Signed program from a 1960 lieder recital of the German lyric baritone, accompanied at the piano by a young Alfred Brendel. Both have signed boldly on the cover. The concert took place on June 12, 1960, as part of the Wiener Festwochen, and included Brahms' Romanzen aus L. Tiecks 'Magalone,' op. 33, and a selection of songs by Hugo Wolf. Together with an original ticket from the concert. 6 pp. In very fine condition. 6 x 8.25 inches (15 x 21 cm).
Signed postcard photograph of the great bass-baritone singer, writer, and civil rights activist. He is shown leaning his chin on his hand in a reproduction of a signed photograph, and has added a signature in blue ink across the card. Slightly poor contrast to the signature and some light toning, but overall fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.9 x 13.5 cm).
Signed photograph of the important Swedish contralto, who is shown playing a stage lyre. Slight wear to the lower edge; overall very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.4 x 25.3 cm).
Signed photograph of the huge-voiced American opera and concert singer best known for her Wagnerian roles. She is shown in her role as Brunhilde, wearing a feathered helmet and carrying a shield and spear, and has signed at the foot: "Kindest greetings / Helen Traubel." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.3 cm).
Signed photograph of the huge-voiced American opera and concert singer best known for her Wagnerian roles. She is shown in a ca. 1945 publicity photograph for Columbia Records, standing in front of what we believe to be an enlarged score of Liebestod. She has signed at the head: "Kindest greetings / Helen Traubel." In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (21 x 25.8 cm).
Signed photograph of the huge-voiced American opera and concert singer best known for her Wagnerian roles. She is shown as Isolde, wearing a long robe and holding a chalice, and has signed at the head: "Best wishes / Helen Traubel." One slight corner crease; overall fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.5 cm).
Calling card signed by the Italian soprano discovered by Oscar Hammerstein I who became well-known in the US for her roles in serious and comic opera and her courtship with Enrico Caruso. Trentini has signed on a small calling card, with slight spotting and mounting remnants on the verso, otherwise in fine condition. 7.1 x 4.9 cm.
Group of thirteen autograph signatures from musicians of the early twentieth century, collected by violinist Florizel von Reuter. Included are signatures from opera singers Leo Slezak (dated September 11, 1938) and Félia Litvinne (dated 1901), pianist and composer Eugen d'Albert (undated clipped signature, penned within parentheses), and others including Virginia Schell, Giovanni Priello, Aase [?] Loedberg, Marie Goethe[?], Wesley Daltern, Ingo Enrique Bertram, and four others. Some toning and mounting remnants; most on album leaves 4.5 x 5.25 inches; overall very good. Read More...
Evocative original signed cabinet photograph of the American stage actress dancing and showing off her petticoats, dated 1897. Earle is remembered for her work in light operas, Edwardian musical comedies and vaudeville over the decades surrounding the turn of the twentieth century. Presented on the original Newsboy New York mount. In fine condition. 10.8 x 16.5 cm.
Signed program from the London opening night of Noel Coward's play Waiting in the Wings, on September 7, 1960 at the Duke of York's Theatre. Signed on the title by seven of the play's stars: Lewis Casson, Sybil Thorndike, Mary Boyd, Jessica Dunning, Norah Blaney, Una Venning, and Nora Nicholson. 6 pp. Slight wear to the spine and edges, overall fine. 4.75 x 7.25 inches (12.3 x 18.4 cm). Read More...
Signed photograph postcard of the popular American stage actor, singer and songwriter, whose most famous songs include "My Wild Irish Rose" and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling." In very fine condition. 8.5 x 14.2 cm.
Doubleweight original 7 x 9 inch portrait photograph of the English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise." Some creasing to lower corners, else fine.
Autograph note from the acclaimed 19th-century American stage actress known for her deep voice and tempestuous lesbian affairs. It reads: "My dear Sir. Will you excuse me to Mr. Ray this morning for my scene. I am not well. I would much rather not come away. Would you go over the scene with him this morning for me. I will run through it at night - twice if he chooses. In haste... Charlotte Cushman." Undated. With mounting remnants on the verso, slight discoloration, and a chip to the signature; otherwise in fine condition. 9.2 x 11.1 cm. Read More...