The Autographs and Collectible Memorabilia Blog

Tchaikovsky in America - In his Own Words

Did you know that Tchaikovsky came to America for the inauguration of Carnegie Hall, in New York, in 1891?. The composer conducted his own music, and visited other American cities during the 4+ weeks he was in the USA. We can follow his trip by reading some extracts from his...

Halcyon Years at the Met: 1921-1926

General Manager Giulio Gatti-Casazza’s repertory policy remained unchanged for the seasons immediately following the death of Enrico Caruso. With seemingly inexhaustible funds at his disposal, he mounted new productions of revivals that were wonderfully cast and usually well received. Novelties also proliferated but were, at best, hailed as interesting experiments. New...

Marston Records - A Story

MARSTON RECORDS IS NOW 26 Scott Kessler and I founded Marston Records in 1997, so it is now twenty-six years old. Starting the label was a natural extension of the audio restoration work I had been doing since 1976, remastering historic recordings of musical performances reissued by labels such as...

Beethoven Hair: In Search for the Truth

Reality may often be weirder than fiction, with more planning and rifer with an accident that could be envisaged in a composition generated only by the mind. One example of this aspect is Russell Martin's Beethoven's Hair: An Extraordinary Historical Odyssey and a Scientific Mystery Solved. Some components may shake even...

No German at the Met: 1917-1921

In 1917, the Metropolitan Opera could hardly ignore the fact that the United States was at war with Germany, the homeland of the Richards Wagner and Strauss, and of many of the singers who sang their music. The German language would not be sung again from the stage of the...

Richard Wagner's Visit to London in 1855: A Turning Point in His Career

One of the most enduringly influential composers of the 19th century, Richard Wagner made three visits to London. His first, in 1839, was almost accidental - caused by the travel requirements of the Wagners large Newfoundland dog, and a planned trip to Paris. [CLICKABLE IMAGE] A portrait of the celebrated...

The Met 1910-17: The Toscanini Era and the Winds of War

NEW BROOMS At the start of the 1910-11 season, Giulio Gatti-Casazza and Arturo Toscanini had secured mastery over the artistic fortunes of the Met, but rather than settle into complacency, they strengthened their resolve to give New York a program of meticulously prepared revivals of the standard repertoire, premieres of...

Did Callas give birth to a son by Onassis?

Soon after the sudden death of Maria Callas in 1977, rumors of a pregnancy by her lover Aristotle Onassis emerged, but of a forced abortion rather than a birth. Those close to her could not believe that she would have done this, as she desperately wanted a child. She had investigations for...

Titans on the Met Podium, 1907-1909: Mahler and Toscanini

HEINRICH CONRIED FIRED BY MET BOARD In June 1907, when Heinrich Conried announced “the engagement of the very best of all musical directors Gustav Mahler,” his own days as impresario of the Metropolitan Opera were numbered. The Board, deeply dissatisfied with his decisions about repertoire and casting, and his crass...

Gustavo Dudamel Next Music Director of the NY Philharmonic

Gustavo Dudamel will be the new Music Director for the New York Philharmonic. The energetic and charming conductor will take up his new post in 2026 and is determined to develop something memorable and profound with his new orchestra. The New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the...

Opera War: Met Opera versus Manhattan Opera House 1906-1910

The Metropolitan Opera’s General Manager Heinrich Conried’s troubles were not confined to earthquake, fire, and censorship. In 1906 he had to face the strong competition of a rival opera company performing in a brand-new auditorium just a short walk from the Met. This was the start of an “opera war”...

Great Collections of Today: The Pedro Corrêa do Lago Autograph Collection

Wolfgang Mozart Autograph Letter 1778 (Correa do Lago Collection) Pedro Corrêa do Lago of Brazil has amassed the largest private autograph collection in the world. Autograph collectors typically focus on finding pieces within a specific niche. Corrêa do Lago's collection stands out due to the broad array of autographs he...

Farewell to Aldo Mancusi - Founder of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America

Our dear friend Aldo Mancusi passed away this May at 92 years old. While the world will miss him greatly, we are fortunate enough to be left with his lasting legacy, the Enrico Caruso Museum of America. In honor of our beloved Aldo, we want to reflect on his life...

University of Michigan Discovers Galileo Manuscript is a Forgery

The University of Michigan was devastated to find out that one of its most famous artifacts turned out to be a forgery. In their possession since 1938, the manuscript was supposed to have been authenticated many years before. The library’s curators were alerted after historian Nick Wilding reported his concerns about the artifact being a fake.

Gustav Mahler Symphony 2 "Resurrection": The Gilbert Kaplan Story

Music has touched the hearts and lives of people since its beginnings. It's a way to explore the most profound feelings and mysteries of the human experience and bring people together. Almost everyone has a story or two regarding how a particular piece of music touched their soul at one...

The Schubertiade Music Festival Continues to Create Community

Over two centuries since the first Schubertiades were first held, the festivals continue to bring people together and create a community of like-minded people. From small, intimate gatherings to massive, world-famous celebrations, one thing all Schubertiades have in common is connecting lovers of chamber music and lieder-singing. "Schubertiade" (1868) by...

The Conried Met: 1903-1906

A NEW MANAGER From 1891 to 1903, Maurice Grau had been an urbane and knowledgeable steward for the Metropolitan’s transformation into an international opera house. The style of Heinrich Conried, his successor in the manager’s office, could not have been more different. Grau had made the Met a congenial home...

Autograph Collectors of the Past: Louis Koch

Autograph collectors are what keeps the hobby alive, and sometimes their collections become so vast and important, that they can make a mark in history as keepers of valuable historical documents and photos. Louis Koch (1862-1932) was a true Renaissance man with a profound appreciation for beauty in any form....

Brünnhilde and “Holde Aida”: The Metropolitan Opera's German Seasons, 1884-1891

1890-91 The German company. Left and right of the table are Walter Damrosch and Anton Seidl OPERA IN THE RED The Metropolitan’s opening season, 1883-84, ended deeply in debt. Henry Abbey’s all-star Italian opera company had been enormously costly. And the impresario had not taken into account the...

Frederic Chopin: The Funeral March Story

THE SONATA Chopin at the house of Prince Radzivill in Posen Frédéric Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35, also known as Chopin Funeral March (which is actually only a part of this sonata), was composed between the years 1837 and 1839. The work was completed...

Giacomo Puccini and the World Premiere of La Bohème

INTRODUCTION According to Operabase, Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème is not only the composer’s most performed opera but it is also amongst the most often produced works of the entire repertoire only slightly behind such giants as Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Verdi’s La Traviata and Bizet’s Carmen. However, La bohème’s grand scale...

Maria Callas Debut at The Metropolitan Opera

Maria Callas during the curtain call after her debut as Norma at the Met, 1956 October 29, 1956. It remains as vivid to me now as it was then, when I was there, sixty-five years ago. Maria Callas was at last making her eagerly awaited debut on the stage...

Vaslav Nijinsky and Diaghilev: The Famous Paris Debut 1909

Since the time of the gods and pharaohs, dance has had a crucial role in history, where rhythmic movements gave free rein to the exhibition of feelings and thoughts through the use of the body as an instrument of expression, accompanied by iconic costumes as a way of showing respect...

Marie Antoinette Autograph Letters: X-Rays Analysis Reveal Content of Her Censored Writings

Using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, researches uncovered previously unknown text from Marie Antoinette´s letters sent to her lover, the Swedish count Axel von Fersen.

THE AUTOGRAPH BLOG

Tchaikovsky in America - In his Own Words

Halcyon Years at the Met: 1921-1926

Marston Records - A Story

Beethoven Hair: In Search for the Truth

No German at the Met: 1917-1921

Richard Wagner's Visit to London in 1855: A Turning Point in His Career

The Met 1910-17: The Toscanini Era and the Winds of War

Did Callas give birth to a son by Onassis?

Titans on the Met Podium, 1907-1909: Mahler and Toscanini

Gustavo Dudamel Next Music Director of the NY Philharmonic

Opera War: Met Opera versus Manhattan Opera House 1906-1910

Great Collections of Today: The Pedro Corrêa do Lago Autograph Collection

Farewell to Aldo Mancusi - Founder of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America

University of Michigan Discovers Galileo Manuscript is a Forgery

Gustav Mahler Symphony 2 "Resurrection": The Gilbert Kaplan Story

The Schubertiade Music Festival Continues to Create Community

The Conried Met: 1903-1906

Autograph Collectors of the Past: Louis Koch

Brünnhilde and “Holde Aida”: The Metropolitan Opera's German Seasons, 1884-1891

Frederic Chopin: The Funeral March Story

Giacomo Puccini and the World Premiere of La Bohème

Maria Callas Debut at The Metropolitan Opera

Vaslav Nijinsky and Diaghilev: The Famous Paris Debut 1909

Marie Antoinette Autograph Letters: X-Rays Analysis Reveal Content of Her Censored Writings

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