[Opera] [Strauss, Richard. (1864–1949)] [Wagner, Richard. (1813–1883)] [Siems, Margarethe. (1879–1952)] [Caruso, Enrico. (1873–1921)] Richter, Hans. (1843–1916) Von der Osten, Eva. (1881–1936)
Two Early-Twentieth-Century Opera Albums including Early Programs and Photographs of Important Strauss and Wagner Productions
Two interesting albums of opera programs, photographs, and clippings from England and Germany dating from 1902 to 1931, featuring important early Strauss performances and with with a particular focus on Wagner's operas, the collection including original programs from several summers of the Bayreuth Festspiele in 1906-1911, as well as many Wagnerian and other programs from Covent Garden and Dresden. Of particular interest are the programs for a very early (November 22, 1912) performance of the first version of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos and for its London premiere in 1913; a 1913 Königliches Opernhaus Der Rosenkavalier broadside program and 6 original postcard photographs, featuring some of the role creators, including Margarethe Siems (originator of Marschallin); two 1912 Königliches Opernhaus Ariadne auf Naxos broadsides, featuring several important creators including Margarethe Siems (originator of Zerbinetta). Some of the other featured performers/conductors include Hans Richter, Enrico Caruso, Olive Fremstad, Ernest van Dyck, Emmy Destinn, Marcel Journet, Victor Maurel, Pasquale Amato, Minnie Saltzmann-Stevens, Rudolf Berger, Erik Schmedes, Felix von Kraus, Albert Coates, Artur Bodanzky, Minnie Nast, Josef Pauli, Hans Rudiger, Wilhelm Herold etc. Wear and chips to the lower edge of the Dresden programs (which are slightly too large for the album); general light age wear and toning; albums with spines somewhat rubbed, but structurally sound; overall most items in very good to fine condition. Albums measure 10.5 x 15 x 1.25 inches (27 x 37.5 x 3 cm) and 12 x 16.5 x 1.5 inches (30 x 41.5 x 4 cm).The first album contains 25 broadside programs from the Königliches Opernhaus of Dresden, dating from 1912 and early 1913, each displayed opposite one or more photograph postcards of the stars of the production; a program from the 1913 English premiere of the first version of Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos (presented together with the Molière comedy Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme) starring Eva von der Osten, conducted by Thomas Beecham; 5 programs from the Royal Opera Covent Garden, dating from 1914 to 1920; 9 further programs from various operas, plays and concerts in England, Germany and Italy; and assorted press clippings. A total of 41 photograph postcards are displayed, with one signed photograph from Dresden favorite Eva Plaschte von der Osten (as Tatiana in Eugen Onegin). The second album contains over 100 clipped title pages from Royal Opera House productions dating from 1903 to 1925, the majority conducted by Hans Richter; 22 large single-sheet programs from the Bayreuth Festspiele of 1906, 1909, and 1911; and several other English programs. (14324)
Archive Program, unsigned Opera