Martinelli, Giovanni. (1885–1969)
Signed Photograph from the Ravinia Festival
Handsome signed Studio Giacomelli Venezia doubleweight photograph of the great Italian tenor, regarded at the Met as Caruso's successor in dramatic roles. Martinelli has inscribed to Charles Drumheller, tenor and longtime rehearsal pianist at the Metropolitan and Chicago Lyric Opera: "To Mr. Cars. H. Drumheller / Very Cordially / G Martinelli / Ravinia / 1924" in white ink. Embossed photographer's mark to lower right corner. Stamp to verso reads "Reale Fotografia Giacomelli / Venezia." Light wear to corners, spot to upper right margin, overall in fine condition. 6.5 x 9 inches (16.2 x 22.9 cm.)."First opened on August 15, 1904, Ravinia remains the oldest and most programmatically diverse music festival in North America, attracting about 600,000 guests to over 120 events each year...From 1919 through 1931, Ravinia was known as the 'summer opera capital of the world,' welcoming to its stage the most-celebrated singers from Europe who sailed to America to perform at the Met and were in no hurry to make that arduous return voyage...Ravinia continues to attract headline-making artists from all genres of music." ("History of Ravinia," www.ravinia.org) (20258)
Signed Photograph Opera