Singers - Autograph Manuscripts ($100 - $250)

Italian mezzo-soprano (1821-1896) known for her fine voice, secure technique, and strong temperament. Autograph letter in Italian signed by her, dated in Milan, 1888, to the Chapel master of S. Gaudenzio in Novara, concerning the possibility of hosting a young singer: “…con me non avrebbe il fitto del pianoforte essendo in casa, e potrebbe studiare nelle ore dalla mattina alle 10 e alla sera…” Size is 4.4 x 7 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, overall rust stains, in overall good condition.  Original envelope is INCLUDED.

Celebrated American soprano (1850-1891). Set of 2 autograph letter signed, one dated in Memphis in 1887, 4 folded pages, the other dated in Gloucester in 1882, which is 2 pages in length. Both are in English, with an attractive gold embossment at the top, size of each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, very slight tear on one page of the 1882 letter, otherwise in excellent condition. Also included: very attractive unsigned photograph of her, shown most likely in role, taken by photographer Anderson of Culver Pictures, New York. Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, very small rips and tears on far edges of the item but not affecting the image. Not sold separately. 

Italian soprano (1904-1998), and latterly a singing teacher. Autograph letter signed by her, written in Italian (sold untranslated), no date. Size is 5.25 x 7 inches, 3 written pages in one sheet, storage holes, red crayon and pencil markings over the end by an unidentified hand, in overall excellent condition.

Italian soprano and voice teacher (1904-1998). Nice set of 2 autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by her. Both are 5.9 x 7.5 inches in size, 6-page-long (in blue ink), no date; 8-page-long, and dated 1942(in black ink), both in excellent condition. Plus one typed letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, dated 1942, size is 7. 7 x 10.9 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition. SOLD ONLY AS A SET, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian soprano (1831-?). Autograph letter in Italian signed by her, dated 1854, to a composer:  "... I am beyond all words sorry not to be able for the autumn season of 1854 to propose to Mr. Pagliano, his beautiful and already approved opera, but since I have already proposed more than one to the above-mentioned, and for which he is already in very close negotiations with the respective owners (...) also for the Carnavale, my impresario has fixed all the operas in perfect agreement with the management of that theater in Verona...".   Size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, overall rust tone, in very good condition. Alajmo performed at Teatro La Fenice in Venice to create the role of Violetta in the premiere of La Traviata in Venice in 1853. Verdi objected and opted for Fanny Salvini-Donatelli. Alajmo later performed this role among many others in her repertoire.

Star Canadian soprano (1847-1930), one of the leading singers of the late 19th-early 20th centuries.  Autograph letter signed, 4 pages, dated in London in 1908, written in English. ALSO INCLUDED: signed publicity photograph on third page of this document with brief musical quote, also dated in 1908. Size of each page is 5 x 6.25 inches, small tear on last 2 pages not affecting image or text. Otherwise in very good condition, not sold separately.   

Italian mezzo-soprano/contralto (1826-1894), also known as Marietta Alboni-Pepoli. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, no year. Size is 4.4 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian mezzo-soprano/contralto (1826-1894), also known as Marietta Alboni-Pepoli.  Signed album page, inscribed and dated in Paris, 1860, plus a photo of her attached at the top.  Album page is mounted on a mat of 11.8 x 15.75 inches (can be easily removed), mounted with photo corners.  Actual album page is 8.5 x 12 inches, minor rust stains, otherwise in very good condition.

Widely celebrated American contralto Marian Anderson (1897-1993), the first black person, American or otherwise, to perform at the at the Metropolitan Opera and an inspiration to many future African American performers. Signed album page with 1 bar of music from J.S. Bach, dated in 1937.  Also included: verso page contains 4 signatures and accompanying musical quotes by all 4 members of the Aguilar Quartet, a famous Spanish Lute quartet that performed on tour in the 1920s and 30s, dated in 1938. Size is 5.75 x 7.75 inches, in excellent condition. 

American contralto (1897-1993), highly celebrated in her time, being the first black person, American or otherwise, to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.  Printed score for the song "Dearest Night" by Alfred Bachelet, signed by the American contralto on the front cover.  Size is 9 x 11.8 inches, 8 pages including covers, in excellent condition.

Norwegian bass (1896-1940), who had an active international career and was especially known for Mozart and Wagnerian roles. Typed letter signed, on the stationary of the Ansonia Hotel in New York in 1930 with the handwritten signature at the bottom of the letter, size is 7.25 x 10.5 inches, small stain outside area of the text, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED: Unsigned postcard photograph, shown in role, a photo by Ursula Richter, Dresden, Size is 3.5 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

Italian tenor (1876-1929), who became famous throughout Europe during the first decade of the 20th century for his stylish performances of lyric roles. Set of two autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, dated both in 1902. Both of them addressed to the impresario Franco Fano about his performance in Giordano's "Fedora"; the other about the recovery of his wife's illness and other professional matters. Sizes are 4.9 x 7.8 inches and 4.3 x 7 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet each, folds, creases, in very good condition.

Spanish dramatic tenor (1840-1912), performed a wide variety of tenor roles in the leading opera theatres of his time and was particularly acclaimed in London and Milan. Following his retirement in 1900, he founded a record company called "Compania de Impresiones Fonograficas".  Signed album page, dated in Montevideo in 1905. Size is 4.75 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition. Rare!

Italian bass (1849-1922). Autograph letter in Italian signed by him dated 1875.  Size is 5.25 x 8.4 inches, 1 written page, in very good condition.

Italian contralto, creator of the role of La Cieca in Ponchielli's La Gioconda in 1876. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1880. 3 pages of a 4-page folded document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 5 x 8.25 inches, total item size is 8.25 x 10.25 inches, in excellent condition.

French baritone (1810-1971), appeared in the world premiere productions of Donizetti's La Favorite, Roberto Deveraux, L'Assedio di Calais, and Dom Sebastien, as well as several operas by Fromental Halevy, Giuseppe Lillo, Adolphe Adam, and Louis Niedermeyer.  Autograph letter signed, 3 pages of a folded 4 page document, written in French and sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, small creases, folds, and several bullet holes, otherwise in very good condition.  

Italian voice coach (1812-1870), who wrote important books on singing, was also (earlier in his career) a violinist and conductor. Very rare autograph letter signed by him, dated in New York in 1868, in English, arranging an appointment. One page, 8 x 9.75 inches, minor folds, in excellent condition. 

Famous Italian bass and later baritone (1922-1967), world acclaimed, who died young.  Autograph letter signed, 1 page in English, written on the stationary of the Essex House, New York, dated in 1965. Size is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, several folds, in excellent condition. 

French bass (1822-1872), creator of many roles at the Opéra-Comique between 1848 and 1857, including the lead male role in Meyerbeer's L'Étoile du Nord (1854). Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated 1871, to Madame Deslignières: “…un gazetier malpropre s’est permis d’éditer à mon sujet certaines allégations malsonnantes dont j’ai demandé justice aux tribunaux et me voilà à la tête d’un procès…”. Size is 5.4 x 8.4 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, creases, in overall very good condition. The original envelope is INCLUDED.

French mezzo-soprano (1877-1970) whose name is often associated to the music avant-garde of Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, and others. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, no date, addressed to a friend “…M. Bormier, un de mes amis qui a un atelier où je fais des cours de chant, voudrait donner le 22 janvier Simon avec mise en scène, décors, récitation…”.  Size is 6 x 7.6 inches, two written pages, folds, creases, in overall very good 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.

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. 

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.

Italian soprano (1864-1950), creator of the role of Santuzza in the world premiere of Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and the title role in Giordano's Fedora. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her (pencil marks indicate the year 1923). Size is 5.8 x 6.3 inches, 2 written pages in 1 sheet (front and back), in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1831-1910). Rare autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her, dated in Paris, April 15, 1855, where she addresses Mr. Camozzi: “…Ho già fatto la scrittura di Lon e appena terminato qui i miei impegni partirò subito. Adesso siamo a presso a far le ripetizioni del Bravo e poi sto studiando un’opera in spagnuolo dedicata all’Imperatrice che si dovrà eseguire alla Corte. Scrissi alla Previtali ma finora non ebbi risposta. Qui corre voce che il Teatro della Regina l’aprano ancora…”.  Open size is 11 x 8.2 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, light creases, in overall very good 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. 

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.

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 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.

 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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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 (1826-1901), who appeared in several operatic world premieres, and mother of soprano Emilia Borghi-Mamo. Autograph letter signed, 1 page of a 4-page folded document, dated in 1861, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, unfolded item size is 8.25 x 10.5 inches, very small tear on text-free final pages, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Italian bass (1831-1892), who specialized in basso buffo roles in bel canto operas, sang in many important theaters in Europe and South America. Autograph letter in Italian signed by him as “A. Bottero”, dated in Roma, March 24, 1878, to the Turin music publishers Giudici & Strada: "... Beautiful, indeed beautiful booklet. The Musicians, although the part of Battisolfa is a little odious, it does not matter, I will do it with great pleasure; I'm looking forward to hearing his music...", etc. Size is 5.5 x 8.5 inches each page, 1 written page in one folded sheet, vertical crease across, in overall excellent condition.

Italian bass (1831-1892), who specialized in basso buffo roles in bel canto operas, sang in many important theaters in Europe and South America. Autograph letter signed, dated by him in 1887, asking somebody (probably a theater manager) to include Il Barbiere di Siviglia in the repertoire for the current season. One single sheet handwritten on both sides (folded into 4 pages of which 3 are handwritten by him, the 3rd is signed). Size of the entire sheet is 7 x 9 inches, in Italian, sold with a translation (see scans).

Famous English tenor (1774-1856), (his real name was Abraham). Braham performed at the world premiere of Oberon (opera by C.M Von Weber). Autograph letter signed, dated in 1819. One page, written in English. Size is 7 x 8.25 inches, some small smudges on front and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in good condition. Rare!

Famous English tenor (1774-1856), (his real name was Abraham). Braham performed at the world premiere of Oberon (opera by C.M Von Weber). Autograph note signed, dated in 1855. One page, written in English. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. Rare!

Italian tenor (1824-1884). Autograph letter signed dated in 1881. Amusingly written in French and ending in English. Two pages sized 5 x 7.75 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian bass-baritone (1826-?), who sang the role of Marcovaldo in the world premiere performances of Verdi's La Battaglia di Legnano in Rome in 1849. Autograph letter signed, written on all 4 pages of a folded document, written in Italian sold untranslated, dated in 1881. Each page is 5.25 x 8.75 inches, total item size unfolded is 8.75 x 10.75 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian bass, impresario, librettist and composer (1798-1880). Autograph letter signed, 1 page of a folded 4-page document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 6.75 x 8.75 inches, unfolded size is 8.75 x 13 inches, small tear on the final set of pages (containing no text), otherwise in excellent condition.