Bulògna: Voulp al Sass.. 1830. 16mo. 12 pp. Unusual and rare panegyric poem composed in dialect by Italian writer Caméll Minarèll, honoring Maria Malibran, creator of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda and works by Bellini and Mendelssohn, one of the most celebrated singers in history, whose early death at the age of 28 contributed to her status as a figure of legend. An extraordinary association copy from the collection of the 20th Century's greatest soprano, originally acquired in the historic 2007 Sotheby's Auction "Maria Callas and her Pygmalion - Her life with Giovanni Battista Meneghini." Bound in pale pink paper boards. Light toning and foxing throughout, overall in fine condition. Very rare, only one other copy recorded (Stanford). Read More...
A rare signed halftone Houston Rogers photograph from La Divina's performances of "Tosca" at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, 1964. A single sheet removed from the February 8, 1964 issue of The Illustrated London News, small tears, creases and mounting remnants around the edges of the sheet have been matted out of view, a few small blemishes to the image showing, else fine. The full sheet 10 x 13 inches, photograph 8.7 x 10.9 inches (25 x 34cm; 22 x 28 cm). Archivally matted with only the image showing, 11 x 14 inches overall. Signed photographs of Callas of this size are very uncommon. Read More...
Paris: Calmels Chambre Cohen. 2000. Large 4to volume in French and English, picturing and describing all 417 lots offered for sale in December 2000 in Paris by Calmels Chambre Cohen, including letters to Callas, reviews and magazine cover stories she had collected as well as antique furniture, paintings and domestic objects, corsets, nightgowns, dresses, hats and shoes, pyrex kitchen wear etc.!! Includes introduction and lengthy descriptive articles on the collections, photographs mostly in color. Gorgeous 415 p. catalogue/book with jacket, both very fine.
Vintage pearl-finish Piccagliani photo of Callas as she appeared in Un Ballo in Maschera at La Scala 1957, signed with her name alone in blue fountain pen across the image. In fine condition, moderate contrast to some of the signature and mounting remnants to verso. 3.75 x 5.5 inches; 9.4 x 13.7 cm. Read More...
Vintage pearl-finish Piccagliani photo of Callas as she appeared in Un Ballo in Maschera at La Scala 1957, signed and inscribed in blue fountain pen in Italian to the lower blank margin. In fine condition, with some light creases and mounting remnants to verso. 4 x 5.75 inches; 10.4 x 14.7 cm. Read More...
Stunning hat with Veil by the Italian designer Biki, known especially as the favorite designer of La Divina. From the Estate of Maria Callas, through her longtime cook and confidante, Elena Pozzan. This spectacular item from the height of Callas's glamorous stardom was acquired by Schubertiade Music LLC at Bloomsbury Auction House in Rome, Italy (Sale: ROMA-7, 26th October 2007, lot 102) and is guaranteed to have been owned and worn by Maria Callas. Read More...
Oversize window card advertisement for an evening of performance from the superstar opera soprano and tenor at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN, dated March 5 at 8 P.M. [1974]. Striking layout, with bright red text over an understated black and white portrait. Edge wear, hanging hole upper edge, else fine, 14 x 22 inches (35.6 x 55.9 cm.).
Original large silver gelatin photograph by Beverley Gallegos of the great singer and pianist Robert Sutherland in concert at New York's Carnegie Hall, May 3, 1974. Signed in silver ink by the photographer to the lower right mount and stamped to verso of mount. Some slight discoloration and surface crazing to the print, and block of toning, some pin holes and creases to mount, else fine. 10.76 x 13.5 inches (27.5 x 34 cm); mount 11.75 x 16 inches (30 x 39.5 cm).
Evocative and colorful poster designed by Aligi Sassu for the 1973 Teatro Regio Torino production of Verdi's "I Vespri Siciliani." This special new production was in celebration of the reopening of the theatre after some 37 years since it had been destroyed in the Second World War. The opera was directed by Maria Callas, assisted by the tenor Giuseppe di Stefano. It was the only production ever directed by Callas. Read More...
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...
London: Opera. November, 1977. An intriguing large collection of materials from the archives of Teatro Opera Roma, the majority consisting of correspondence (letters, many of them autograph, and copies of sent telegrams) between the theater management and contracted artists, most documents dated from between 1945 and 1952, smaller part, including self-promotional material from singers applying for a contract, from the 1960s. There are also a few letters from the 1970s and 1980s. Except for printed promotional materials, which come in a variety of languages, all documents are in Italian. Included in the well over a hundred page archive, of particular interest are the following items: Read More...
Later reprint of an original Piccagliani photograph of the Italian conductor, the first important musical mentor to Maria Callas. La Scala label crediting Piccagliani on the verso. In very fine condition. 7 x 9.5 inches (17.7 x 24 cm). Read More...
Dashing vintage matte-finish 7.25 x 9.25 inch head-and-shoulders photo of Lanza in a suit and tie, signed and inscribed to assistant director (Kiss me Kate, Annie get your Gun, Showboat etc.) George Rhein in fountain pen “Hello Pidge—best of everything always from, Mario Lanza.” In fine condition, with trimmed edges (more pronounced to top and left edges), and sentiment a shade lighter than signature. Read More...