Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

French bass (1822-1872), who performed in many world premieres including the 1854 premiere of Meyerbeer's L'Etoile du Nord. Autograph note signed, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, vintage historic item in excellent condition. 

French singer (1866-1937), voice teacher, and music critic, husband of the pianist Marie Roger-Miclos. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1906 and 1909.  Letters are addressed to the composer and music critic Henri Woollett (1864-1936). We report an extract as a sample: “…Je crois que vous n’avez pas proposé l’oeuvre à Colonne. Pourquoi! Il est toujours à court d’oeuvres françaises…”. 3 pp. In-8 and in-16. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian baritone (1856-1928), known as the King of baritones in his time. Autograph letter signed, dated in Rome in 1887, signed as "Battistini", 3 pages in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, in very good condition.  

French soprano (1838-1919), particularly noteworthy for creating the role of Inès in the world premiere production of Meyerbeer's L'Arfricaine in  Paris in 1865. Autograph letter signed, written in French on the first three pages of a folded 4-page document, sold untranslated. Each page is 4.25 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition. L'A

German soprano/mezzo-soprano (1849-1926). Autograph note signed, written at Covent Garden in London, dated in 1909. 1 page of 4.5 x 7 inches mounted onto 8 x 11 inch drafting paper, written in English. Tear on the bottom left of the mounted background paper, well outside of the area of the manuscript, otherwise in excellent condition. 

German bass (1880-1941). Autograph letter signed, 1 sheet, handwritten on both sides and signed on verso, dated in 1935. In German, sold untranslated, size is 8.25 x 11.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Famous Italian baritone (1913-1993), autograph note signed with attached half-tone photo, shown possibly in role (photo is taped onto an album page with signature on the middle of the page to the left of the photo).  Size is 3.5 x 65.25 inches, small tear on the top left corner and small mounting trace on verso, otherwise in good condition.

Hungarian-born baritone (1827-1904), among other things he was the first Hans Sachs in Vienna, created the role of King Solomon in the 1875 world premiere of Die Königing von Saba, opera by Karl Goldmark. Autograph letter signed and dated by him in Vienna in 1868, 1 page, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, in German (sold untranslated), in excellent condition.

Austrian baritone of Hungarian descent (1848-1903). Signed card, with inscription and signature on the front side of a postcard. Written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 3,.5 x 5.5 inches, with several folds on the card but otherwise in very good condition.

Belgian bass-baritone (1897-1987), autograph note signed, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated, dated in 1938. Size is 5.25 x 7 inches, small creases and folds, otherwise in good condition. 

English coloratura soprano (1900-1990), autograph note signed, 1 page in English, dated in 1930. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 7 x 9 inches, several creases and folds, otherwise in very good condition.

French baritone and teacher (1879-1979). Autograph letter signed, dated in 1933. 2 pages, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

French singer (1899-1979), who worked in close artistic association with Francis Poulenc. Autograph note in French signed by him, no date, as follows: "For Lyda – my very 'aristocratic' friendship (Jean Pierre) – and all my admiration for the impeccable musician.". Size is 4.4 x 6.7 inches, 1 page, tape residues over the right border, otherwise in very good condition.

German baritone (1828-1905), who sang in many theaters in German and was the father of Theodor Bertram who was also a baritone and developed an international career. Autograph text quote in German, signed by him in 1866 when Bertram was singing in Wiesbaden (where he stayed from 1862 through 1866), Germany. Sold untranslated. Size is 10.25 x 6.75 inches, with a fold, otherwise in excellent condition.

French-Italian soprano, whose stage name was Antonia Delores, was the daughter of singer Zelia Trebelli-Bettini a French mezzo-soprano (1834-1892), and Alessandro Bettini, an Italian tenor (1825-1898), and the first to sing Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in 1884. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages of a folded 4 page document, written in English. Size of each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, some mounting traces (scotch tape) on left side of the paper, otherwise in excellent condition. Also included: Unsigned Carte-de-Visite (CDV) photo of her, shown as herself taken by the London Stereoscope and Photographic Company, 2.5 x 4 inches, beautiful item in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

French-Italian soprano, whose stage name was Antonia Delores, was the daughter of singer Zelia Trebelli-Bettini a French mezzo-soprano (1834-1892), and Alessandro Bettini, an Italian tenor (1825-1898), and the first to sing Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in 1884. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, dated in 1886, written in English. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, small marks on sides of photo, otherwise in excellent condition. Also included: unsigned half-tone photo shown in role. 

German bass-baritone (1835-1900), created the role of Hans Sachs in the world premiere performance of Richard Wagner's Die Meistersinger in Munich in 1868. Autograph note signed, dated in Wiesbaden in 1877. Written to Paul Lindau, noted German writer, journalist and theatre director (1839-1919). Written in German, sold untranslated. The manuscript size is 5.75 x 3.75 inches, in extremely good condition.  Also included is an unsigned CDV, shown as himself. Seal on verso of photographer Fritz Luckhardt, Vienna. Size is 2.5 x 4 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian mezzo-soprano (1846-1905), starred as Laura Adorno in the world premiere performances of Ponchielli's La Gioconda at La Scala, Milan in 1876. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in Italian sold untranslated. Size is 5 x 8 inches, small tear on top right and slight smudge underneath, not affecting the text and signature below, otherwise in excellent condition.

German tenor (1865-1955), autograph signed note written on both sides of a 3.5 x 5 inch embossed card, written in German, sold untranslated. ALSO INCLUDED: an unsigned photo postcard, shown as himself, size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, mounting traces on verso, otherwise in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

English soprano (1810-1884), sang in many countries on every continent and was the most widely traveled singer of the 19th century.  Autograph letter signed, dated in 1859. 2 pages of 4 page folded document, size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

English soprano (1810-1884), sang in many countries on every continent and was the most widely traveled singer of the 19th century.  Autograph note signed, 1 page in English, size is 4 x 7.25 inches, small tear on the bottom right (not affecting text and signature), otherwise in excellent condition.

American baritone (1857-1921). Autograph letter signed, on stationery of the Art Club of Philadelphia. 2 pages on 4 page folded document. Very clear handwriting and signature. Size is 4.5 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American baritone (1857-1921). Autograph musical quote signed and inscribed on an album page. The musical quote consists of several bars of Wagner's Tannhauser (the "Song of the Evening Star"). Very clear handwriting and signature, dated in New York in 1902. Size is 6.75 x 8.5 inches, in very good condition.

American baritone (1857-1921) and American contralto (1871-1947). Fine card signed and dated by the baritone on February 6th, 1901, attached to an album page.  Total size is 6.75 x 9.8 inches, in excellent condition. ON VERSO there is a signature cut with a short sentiment by the celebrated contralto, dated in 1907, attached to a half-tone photograph of her.  

American baritone (1857-1921); Austro-Hungarian conductor (1843-1916). Album page signed by the baritone adding a written quote from Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg", dated in Birmingham, 1897; and also signed by the famous conductor who dated his signature in 1891. Size is 5 x 6.25 inches, in very good condition.

American baritone (1857-1921). Signed card, dated in 1907. Very clear handwriting and signature. Size is 4.1 x 2.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Star Swedish tenor (1911-1960), one of the greatest of the 20th century. An album page signed by him, pianist André Mathieu, and other artists. Size is 8.8 x 11.8 inches, central fold, in excellent condition.

 Star Swedish tenor (1911-1960), one of the greatest of the 20th century.  Signature cut of 1.75 x 4 inches in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photograph of him, shown in the title role of Verdi's Don Carlo. Stamped on verso by photographer Sedge LeBlang, Metropolitan Opera, New York. Size is 8 x 10 inches, lots of penciled markings on verso, otherwise in excellent condition. Not sold separately,.

Star Swedish tenor (1911-1960), one of the greatest of the 20th century.  Signed Album page of 5.5 x 8.25 inches in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photograph of him, shown in the title role of Gounod's Faust, a role he first sang at the Metropolitan Opera in 1939 (this photo quite possibly taken at that time). Size is 8 x 10 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately,.

Star Swedish tenor (1911-1960), one of the greatest of the 20th century.  Signed Album page of 4.25 x 5.5 inches in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photograph of him as Rodolfo in Puccini's La Boheme, along with a cast page of him performing that role at the Metropolitan Opera in 1946 in a cast that also included Bidu Sayao among others. Size of the photo is 8 x 10 inches, the cast page is 6.5 x 6.75 inches, both in excellent condition. Not sold separately,.  

Scottish baritone (1859-1920), primarily known for his performances in oratorios and other works from the concert repertoire. Autograph note signed, 1 page written in English on personal letterhead with half-tone image of the singer. Size is 4.75 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition. 

German baritone (1788-1856) and actor, was an important singer who created several roles in operas by Spontini and Meyerbeer, but most importantly created the role of Caspar in the world premiere of Der Freischütz by Weber. Autograph letter signed, one page, undated and handwritten only on one side, 8 x 10.5 inches. In German, sold untranslated, some rust toning over the borders, otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1854-1920), daughter of famous baritone Felice Varesi, she later opened a singing school in Chicago following her retirement from the stage.  Autograph note signed, 1 page written in English, dated in Chicago in 1894.  Size is 8 x 11 inches, small tear on top left outside area of handwriting and signature, otherwise in excellent condition. 

German baritone and teacher (1892-1958), known for singing at the Munich Opera, the Berlin Staatsoper, and the Bayreuth Festival. Two typed letters signed, 1 page each, both dated in Hamburg in 1952, written in German, sold untranslated. Addressed to Karl Maria Zwissler, the director of the Mainz Stadtisches Theater. Size of each is 8.25 x 11.75 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

German baritone and teacher (1892-1958), known for singing at the Munich Opera, the Berlin Staatsoper, and the Bayreuth Festival. Signed album page, dated in 1931, in excellent condition.

German Bass (1908-1989) specializing in Mozart, Strauss, and Wagner roles from the 1940s through the 1960s. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1947, 2 pages, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 6 x 8.25 inches, slight smudges on the bottom of the first page, priced accordingly. 

English baritone, autographed musical quote written on a 4.5 x 7 inch sheet with several bars from the "Taming of the Shrew", signed by him in London, dated in 1884, small creases and bends, otherwise in excellent condition. Rare vintage item!

American baritone (1887-1980), signed album page, dated in 1933. Inscribed with short sentiment, bold handwriting and signature. Size is 9 x 11.75 inches, in excellent condition. 

French mezzo-soprano (1855-1901). Autograph letter signed, 2 pages folded document written on both pages, written in Milan in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

French mezzo-soprano (1855-1901). Autograph letter signed by her, written in French (sold untranslated). Size is 5.3 x 8.25 inches, 3 written pages in one sheet, in excellent condition.  

French mezzo-soprano (1855-1901). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated in Paris, May 26, no year, addressed to a gentleman, concerning his recent debut as Odette in Halevy's opera “Charles VI”, explaining her lack of confidence pretending to be a foreigner: “…j’ose éspérer toute votre indulgence pour la pauvre américaine qui essaie pour la première fois d’aborder la scène française (…) j’ai chanté du jour au lendemain, sans répétition aucune; vous le savez Monsieur, les Américains sont audacieux, et les américaines aussi…”.  Size is 8.8 x 6.9 inches, four written pages in one folded sheet, folds, creases, dirt stains, light cracks over borders, in overall good condition.

Prominent Italian tenor and singing teacher, usually known only as "Marco Bordogni" (1789-1856), who performed in several operas by Rossini. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no year indicated, addressed to the director of the Theatre de la Renaissance Anténor Joly (1799-1852) about professional matters.  Size is 5.1 x 8 inches, 1 page, creases, folds, some smudges over ink, in overall good condition.

Prominent Italian tenor and singing teacher, usually known only as "Marco Bordogni" (1789-1856), appeared in the 1825 world premiere performances of Gioachino Rossini's Il Viaggo a Reims, in the role of the Conte di Libenskof. Autograph musical quote signed, dated in Paris in 1851. Rare vintage historic item, 6 x 9.5 inches, in excellent condition!

Italian soprano (1860-1924). Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, no year indicated, addressed to Franco Fano where she recommends her daughter and informs about her success at the Budapest opera to keep her in mind for future engagements. Size is 5 x 7.9 inches, 4 written pages, folds, in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1860-1924). Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, dated in Madrid, 1889, addressed to Eugenio Tornaghi, thanking him for forwarding the score of an opera.  Size is 4.3 x 6.7 inches, 2 written pages, folds, some rust stains, in very good condition.

Italian tenor ((1871-1950), creator of the role of Andrea Chenier in Giordano's opera. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Bologna, 1913, asking for a place in the Loreto chapel choir at the Basilica della Santa Casa for his brother. Size is 4.4 x 6.8 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and verso), folds, creases, in very good condition.

Famous Italian tenor (1871-1950),  who created the title role of Giordano's Andrea Chenier, in the world premiere performances of 1896.  Signed postcard with 2 bars of music from Wagner's Lohengrin, dated by him in Buenos Aires, 1904.  Size is 5.3 x 3.5 inches, in very good condition.

Italian mezzo-soprano (1857-?). Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, dated 1894, while touring in Russia, addressed to Franco Fano about her debut as Carmen in Russia, the payment she received, and other professional issues. Size is 4.4 x 7 inches, 4 written pages, in very good condition.