Many dedicated, signed and photographic prints of leading stars of opera and theatre. Several are from the collection of the late Donald Weigand of NYC and Toronto, who was long associated with Community Artists as well as the Stratford Festival, Ontario. Please inquire for more details on this wonderful collection of photographs. (Section under development. Please return).

(CALLAS, MARIA) (1923-77) Haunting black and white, matte-finish image of Mme. Callas from La Vestale during the 1954-55 season of LaScala. Stamped on reverse Erio Piccagliani. Measure 7"x9.5". $ 75

American-born Greek soprano. One of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th Century. She combined an impressive bel-cano technique, a wide ranging voice and great dramatic gifts.

KIRSTEN, DOROTHY (1910-92)

A 8"x10" black and white glossy operatic character still from Manon Lescaut. Boldly dedicated and signed To.....greetings and best wishes. Sincerely, Dorothy Kirsten. Fine. $ 100

American operatic soprano. Began her career in the late 1930s as a radio singer on WINS, a member of the Kate Smith Chorus, and as a vocalist for pop orchestras. She mentored under Grace Moore from 1938, who had her study in Rome with Astolfo Pescia. Her time in Europe was cut short by WWII and she returned in 1939, debuting at the New York World's Fair. Roles followed with the Chicago Grand Opera Company, San Carlo Opera Company, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and New York Philharmonic. She debuted at the Metropolitan Opera with the role of Mimi in La Boheme in 1945 and continued to sign with the Met for the next 30 years. While she performed primarily in the US, she performed in Europe at times, and gave performances in the USSR. In addition to her operatic activities, Mme. Kirsten sang on the radio with Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Nelson Eddy, and Perry Como. She also appeared in two films. Her last performance with the Met was on February 10, 1979 as Tosca.

ANDERSON, MARIAN

Vintage autograph album leaf. Bold fountain pen signature on a pale green sheet. Comes with a 4"x6" black and white glossy photo print of the operatic great (from an original photographic image by Yousef Karsh). Professionally matted in a rich, green suede board and further protected with a Myalr cover. Wonderful ensemble for display. $ 195

BRANAGH, KENNETH (1960 - )

Huge signature accomplished in blue marker pen. Professionally matted with a 8"x10" color glossy character still as Henry V (1989) from the film of the same title. $ 100

STUDHOLME, MARION

British soprano with Sadlers Wells Opera Company and the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company; particularly famous for playing and recording the role of Yum-Yum in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Mikado.

We have three striking character stills signed by Mesdame Studholme. Two were shot by Stratford-Shakespeare Festival photographer Peter Smith (probably 1960-61). One is heavyweight matte-finish; dedicated and signed “With very best wishes to Don Wiegand, Marion Studholme”. The second is a black and white glossy “With very best wishes from Marion Studholme”. The third is 6.5”x8.5” a black and white glossy closeup headshot signed simply “Sincerely, Marion Studholme.” The Peter Smith shots are $ 35. The smaller photo is $ 25. (cgdw)

MELCHIOR, LAURITZ (1890-1973)

Signed photograph: 8"x10" black and white glossy dedicated and signed. Condition is good. $ 165

(2) Vintage fountain pen signature on a small card with a VINTAGE black and white gelatin silverprint formal portrait of the singer. Striking image and great for display. $ 125

Danish and, later, American opera singer. The pre-eminent Wagnerian tenor of the late 1920s through '40s who has come to be considered the quintessence of his voice type. Made his debut in 1913 in the baritone role of Silvio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Appeared at Covent Garden from 1924-39. He made many recordings, first as a baritone on Danish HMV and then as a tenor for Deutsche Grammophon, RCA Victor, American Columbia and, lastly, Warner Brothers. Between 1942 and 52, Melchior performed in five Hollywood musical films for MGM and Paramount Pictures and made numerous television appearances.

STEVENS, RISE (1913- )

Dedicated and signed 8"x10" black/white character still (matte finish heavy weight stock) photo as Octavian from Der Rosenkavalier, one of her finest and most accomplished roles. $ 85

Studied at Julliard School for three years. Went to Vienna where she was trained by Marie Gutheil-Schoder and Herbert Graf. She made her debut as Mignon in Prague in 1936 and stayed there until 1938, also appearing in guest apperances at the Vienna State Opera. Made her Metropolitan Opera debut the same year as Mignon. Three days later she sang Octavian opposite Lotte Lehmann. The film industry in Hollywood produced several films for her, including The Chocolate Soldier (1941) with Nelson Eddy and Going My Way (1944) with Bing Crosby. For over two decades, until 1961, Stevens was the Met's leading mezzo-soprano and the only mezzo to command top billing (and commensurate fees) normally awarded only to star sopranos and tenors. After her retirement from the opera stage, Stevens served as General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera touring Company until 1966 and later coached the new generation of singers at the Met. In 1977, Stevens was awarded the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Glee Club Award of Merit. Established in 1964, this award sought "to bring a declaration of appreciation to an individual each year who has made a significant contribution to the world of music and helpd to create a climate in which our talents may find valid expression."

Original promo for La Scala

First Visit to the United States

October 18, 1967

(two available - please inquire)

BUMBRY, GRACE (1937- )

Lovely 7"x9" black and white glossy photograph boldly signed in blue marker pen. $ 65

We also have a 5"x7" Angel Records signed publicity shot which has been professionally matted. A striking display piece of this 2009 Kennedy Center honoree. $ 95

PLUMMER, CHRISTOPHER ( 1929- )

Canadian-born theatre, film and television star. In a career that spans over five decades and includes substantial roles in film, television, and theatre, Plummer is perhaps best known for the role of Captain Georg von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Handsome 8"x10" b/w heavy weight, matte-finish, Peter Smith Stratford character still from King John as Philip the Bastard, 1960. Superb condition. Nota bene: there is no "blurring" in the original image which is crisp and clear. $ 85 (cgdw)

RYSANEK, LEONIE (1926-199)

Austrian dramatic soprano, a noted Salome, Kundry, Turandot, Lady Macbeth and Aida, singing 25 different roles for the Metropolitan Opera, New York.

We have two 8”x10” black and white glossy character stills of Mesdame Rysanek in the 1959 Metropolitan Opera Production of Macbeth. Both are dedicated and signed to Donald Wiegand. Some fading and skipping of blue fountain pen writing but, overall, in good condition. Two of these are New York Times publicity shots. Each priced at $ 65. SEE ALSO the stunning Louis Melancon below. (cgdw)

MAYNOR, DOROTHY (1910-96)

Dedicated and signed image: a 10"x12.5" color litho print, RCA Victor publicity portrait. Bears an impressive dedication and signature, accomplished with great flourish. To Donald Wiegand with all best wishes, sincerely yours, Dorothy Maynor. Other than a small tear at the top of the print (well away from the image) the signed print is in very good condition. Accompanied by a vintage magazine publicity sheet on Maynor. Maynor is uncommon in material of this quality. The Sander's Price Guide lists a signed photograph of Mayor at $285. Ours is oversized and affordably priced. $ 150

Celebrated operatic soprano. Studied at the Hampton Institute and Westminster Choir School; privately studied with William Klamroth and John Alan Houghton. Founder of the Harlem School of the Arts.

LONDON, GEORGE (1920-85)

Choice 8"x10" black and white glossy Yousef Karsh/Ottawa print boldly dedicated and signed by Mr. London to Don Wiegand, a longtime friend. $ 50 (cgdw)

Montreal-born operatic bass-baritone. He was among the most famous exponents of his four signature roles: Don Giovanni, Boris Godunov, Wotan, and Amfortas. During his Metropolitn Opera career, in 1956, he appeared on Ed Sullivan's TV program in an abridged version of Act II of Tosca, opposite Maria Callas, conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos. He recorded many of his roles for RCA Victor, Columbia Records and Decca. In 1958, Mr. London performed the leading role of Wotan, in teh groundbreaking recording of Wagner's opera Das Rheingold, conducted by Sir Georg Solti. Sadly, a paralyzed vocal cord ended his singing career prematurely in 1967. Four years later, Mr. London established the George London Foundation for Singers, which gives grants to young opera singers early in their careers.

DUNN, MIGNON (1931 - )

We have two 8”x10” b/w glossy character stills by Toronto photographer Alex Gray (circa 1960-61). Both are dedicated and signed to Don Wiegand. One has a hilarious quip “Is this for real, best wishes, Mignon Dunn.” Each $ 25 (cgdw)

Mezzo-soprano NU professor has enjoyed an international career as opera singer, soloist, and recitalist. Member, Metropolitan Opera. Performances at Lyric Opera Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Vienna State Opera, La Scala, Covent Garden, Opera de Paris, Hamburg State Opera. Soloist with major orchestras, including the New York, London, Vienna, and Israel Philharmonics and the Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, and Los Angeles symphony orchestras. Recorded on Deutsche Grammophon, Erato, RCA, and New World Records.

GEDDA, NICOLAI (1925- )

AMusMS - SEE CATALOGUE, PAGE THREE - $ 65

Acclaimed Swedish operatic tenor and recitalist. Having made some two hundred recordings, Gedda is said to be the most widely recorded tenor in history. Gedda's singing is best known for his beauty of tone, vocal control, and musical perception.

MOORE, GRACE (1898-1947)

Vintage signature on a slip of paper with sufficient room for matting. Accompanied by a 8"x10" black and white glossy operatic character still by Toppo, NY. $ 95

Renowned operatic soprano and actress in musical theatre and film. She was nicknamed the Tennessee Nightingale. Her films helped to popularize opera by bringing it to a larger audience. After vocal studies in Maryland, Mme. Moore appeared in musical comedy in NY during the 1920s. She then pursued further study in France before making her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1928. Moore went on to enjoy a celebrated international career and appeared in several films such as The King Steps Out; Venus; Jenny Lind the Swedish Nightingale; When You're In Love.

Mme. Moore died in a plane crash near Copenhagen. The previous night she had sung to a packed house of 4,000 to rousing, standing ovations. Mme. Moore is often compared with singer Janis Joplin for her unconventional views and manner. It is alleged that Elvis Presley named his beloved Graceland in memory of Grace Moore.

DUNCAN, TODD

Vintage autograph on a small card. Accompanied by a vintage, original, publicity portrait of Mr. Duncan. $ 150

Acclaimed operatic baritone and actor. Debuted in Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana at the Mecca Temple, NY, in 1933 (Aeolian opera, a black opera company). Duncan was George Gershwin's personal choice as the first performer in the role of Porgy and Bess in 1935 and played the role more than 1,800 times. Mr. Duncan became the first African American to sing with a major opera company and was the first black to sing in an opera with an otherwise white cast, when he performed the role of Tonio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci with the New York Opera. In 1955, Duncan was the first to record Unchained Melody, a popular song. The recording was made for the soundtrack of the obscure prison film Unchained. Following Duncan's version, the song went on to become one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century. In 1978, the Washington Performing Arts Society hosted Mr. Duncan's 75th birthday gala. He was awarded the George Peabody Medal of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University. Other awards included the medal of honor from Haiti, an NAACP award the Donaldson Award, the New York Drama Critics' Award, and honorary doctorate degrees.

ALBANESE, LICIA (1913 - )

Signed Metropolitan Opera La Traviata programme, 1958. Other than vertical middle fold in very good condition. Bodly signed. $ 35

Italian-born american operatic soprano. Noted especially for her portrayals of the lyric heroines of Verdi and Puccini, Albanese was a leading artist with the Metropolitan Opera from 1940 to 1966. she also made many recordings and was chairman of The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation which is dedicated to assisting young artists and singers.

H.M.S. PINAFORE – STRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

We are pleased to offer a small photographic archive of principal characters from the Festival’s 1960 Gilbert & Sullivan production. Most of these were Canadian-born actors and singers, while a few (Irene Byatt) found her way to the popular US television series Bewitched. Her name was spelled differently in some episodes (Irene Byatt and Irenee Byatt). In addition to signed photographs of four principal characters from Pinafore, (all photographed by Peter Smith) there are three other black and white matte-finish, heavyweight photographs of the entire ensemble. This small operatic-theatrical archive is in very good condition and a true gem for any aficionado of Gilbert & Sullivan. $ 125 (cgdw)

Principal characters (signed photos) are: Eric House (1921-2004) as Sir Joseph Porter; Harry Mossfield (1919- ) as Captain Corcoran; Irene Byatt (1926- ) as Buttercup; Andrew Downey (d: 2009) as Ralph Rackstraw.

Nov 19, 1962 - "Gondoliers." The Statford Festival of Canada

Handsome 10"x8" b/w matte-finish, heavyweight character still of John J. Arab from The Gondoliers. Dedicated and signed to Don Wiegand. $ 50 (includes other unsigned cast photos...all of which were probably shot by Peter Smith). (cgdw)

JOHN J. ARAB (1930-2000)

Operatic tenor and teacher. He studied at the Maritime Conservatory of Music in Halifax with Teodor Britts and later at the RCMT with Ernesto Vinci. He made his formal debut in 1959 in The Love of Three Oranges and appeared up until 1977 as a leading tenor with the COC in Toronto and on tour. He also sang with the Goldovsky Opera Theatre (USA), mainly in operas of Mozart and Puccini, and with other small companies in the USA. In 1967, Arab created the roles of O'Donaghue and Lemieux in the COC's Louis Riel and in 19687 he sang the Tempter in the North American premiere of Britten's The Prodigal Son at the Guelph Spring Festival. He performed at the Stratford Festival, with the Banff Opera, in CBC radio and TV productions, in oratorios and concerts, and as a soloist with Canadian orchestras. In 1977 he retired from the COC and taught singing, private and for the Metropolitan toronto School Board.

Orchestra conducted by Louis Applebaum. Cast credit: Dodi Protero, Darlene Hirst, John Arab, Victor Braun, Jack Creley, Ann Casson, Ilona Kombrink, Alexander Gray, Douglas Campbell, Victor Braun.

MADY MESPLE (1931- )

Celebrated French operatic coloratura soprano

Stunning Maurice Seymour, Chicago, photo (heavyweight)

HINES, JEROME

Dedicated and signed photograph; 8"x10" vintage photo of Hines in black tie. $ 50

Basso-opera singer. Made his operatic debut in 1941 singing Monterone in Rigoletto with the San Francisco Opera.

PRINCE, HAROLD

Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, 1992, on his business letterhead, addressed to the late Paulette Attie. Brief thank you note in which he mentions Grandchild of Kings. "...Your good letter has been read to me over the phone in Florida where I'm getting a vacation before going back into rehearsal. Thank you for your good words about Grandchild of Kings and for bringing me up to date. Keep in touch..." Bears the usual folds and, in another hand, there is the name of Sondheim with his address well away from the letter and signature (could be removed). Accompanied by a 8"x10" black and white litho print portrait of Prince as photographed by Canadian photographer Yousef Karsh. $ 100

American theatrical producer and director associated with many of the best-known Broadway musical productions of the past half-century. He has garnered 21 Tony Awards, more than any other individual, including eight for directing, eight for producing the year's Best Musical, two as Best Producer of a Musical, and three special awards. His shows are known for their political context, new approach to romance, and characters who sing and dance with thematic import.

(2) Signature on a small card, professionally matted with an oversized black and white litho print portrait of Prince as photographed by Yousef Karsh. Encased in glass and a handsome wood frame. $ 195

COLZANI, ANSELMO (1918-2006)

A handsome b/w glossy formal portrait boldly signed in fountain pen. Minor vertical crease only visible at an angle; otherwise in excellent condition. Accompanied by a 1960 NY Times clip on his retirement from The Met. The pair… $ 35 (cgdw)

Colzani was one of several Italian baritones who made their Met debuts in the 1960 season, after the sudden death of Leonard Warren onstage during ''La Forza del Destino'' in March. A few weeks later, Mr. Colzani took over Mr. Warren's role in Verdi's ''Simone Boccanegra.'' It was not only the first time he had ever sung at the Met, but the first time he had ever sung the role; he had to learn it in a matter of days. He acquitted himself well enough that he became a regular at the Met for the next 18 seasons. Particular signature roles included Jack Rance in Puccini's ''Fanciulla del West'' and the title role of Verdi's ''Falstaff,'' as well as Scarpia in ''Tosca,'' Amonasro in ''Aida'' and Iago in ''Otello.”

UPPMAN, THEODOR (1920-2005)

We offer a Bender/NY 8"x10" black and white glossy which Mr. Uppman has dedicated, signed and dated 1977. To Don, as ever my very best wishes to a dear friend. Ted Uppman, 3/9/77. American operatic baritone. He is best known for his creation of the title role in Britten's opera Billy Budd. Made his professional debut in 1941 with the Northern California Symphony Orchestra. His career was sparked by his 1947 concert performance as Pelleas in Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande, with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under Pierre Monteux. For awhile he quit signing to work in the California oil industry but was persuaded to come back to opera to perform in the premiere of Billy Budd a short time later at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. ritten sang 395 performances in 14 roles during a 24-year career with the Metropolitan Opera. $ 35 (cgdw)

ESTES, DR. SIMON (1938- )

Handsome 8"x10" black and white glossy formal publicity still of Dr. Estes. Dedicated and signed to Paul wishing you good luck and success. Simon Estes 1972. $ 25

Dr. Estes is an African-American bass-baritone who enjoyed a major international opera career since the 1960s. He has sung at most of the world's major opera houses as well as in front of presidents, popes and internally-renowed figures and celebrities including Presidents Clinton and Richard Nixon, Boris Yeltsin, Yasser Arafat, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. He was notably part of the first generation of black opera singers to achieve wide success and is viewed as part of an instrumental group of performers who helped to break down the barriers of racial prejudice in the opera world. Dr. Estes is a Distinguished Professor and Artist in Residence of Wartburg College, Iowa. He taught at The Julliard School of Music and has given numerous master classes through the US, Europe, Africa and South America. A well-known youth advocate, Dr. Estes has established four scholarship foundations for young people. Born in Centerville, Iowa, the grandson of a slave, Dr. Estes maintains strong ties to Iowa. He and his wife reside in Switzerland and have made Waverly their U.S. home. (cgdw)

JESSNER, IRENE (1901-94)

Black and white 8"x10" publicity still as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel. Dedicated signed and dated 1964 to Donald Wiegand. $ 25 (cgdw)

Viennese-born operatic soprano who spent the greater part of her career at the Metropolitan Opera. She is best remembered as one of Canada's most successful and beloved voice teachers. A fixture at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music for 34 years, from 1952 until her retirement in 1988 at the age of 84, she produced an astonishing array of Canadian singers. Made her professional operatic debut in 1930 in Teplice as Elsa.

BROADWAY GREATS - LOT OF FOUR LETTERS!

This is a lot of four letters -- all addressed to the late Paulette Attie between the late 1970s and '90s. Miss Attie was very much a part of the off-Broadway musical scene for more than 25 years. These four letters are typewritten and or handwritten, and signed by some of the great composers and lyricists of Broadway: SAMMY CAHN, SHELDON HARNICK, JOHN KANDER, BURTON LANE. Two of the letters make reference to productions in development. $ 150

RUSSELL, ANNA (1911-2000)

Hilarious 8"x10" b/w glossy character still from The Ring performance as Brunhilde. Dedicated and signed to Donald Wiegand: To Don, it was nice meeting you. Very best wishes, Anna Russell." A hoot of an image. $ 50 (cgdw)

English-Canadian singer and comedienne. She gave many concerts in which she sang and played comic musical sketches on the piano. Among her best-known works are her concert performances and famous recordings of The Ring of the Nibelungs (An Analysis) - a humorous 30-minute synopsis of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen.

BRAUN, VICTOR (1935-2001)

Handsome 8"x10" b/w matte-finish photograph from The Stratford Festival 1962 season, in Gilbert & Sullivan's Gondoliers. Dedicated and signed to Mr. Wiegand. $ 25 (cgdw)

Canadian-born (Windsor, Ontario) operatic bass-baritone. During a 40-yer career, Braun sang the normal operatic repertory: Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Srauss and Puccini, with great distinction, but he excelled in the more modern works of Berg, Bartok, Henze, Siegfried Matthus, Berlo and other composers of the late 20th century. He made his Covent Garden debut in 1969.

WILLIAMS, ARTHUR

African-American operatic tenor. No biographical information found. Dedicated and signed 8”x10” black and white glossy formal portrait. Small tear at bottom can be matted out. “Your friend always, Arthur Williams.” $ 20 (cgdw)

FARRAR, GERALDINE (1882-1967)

Vintage fountain pen signature on a small card (evenly toned but near "10" as a signature example; plenty of room for matting). Comes with a 4"x6" black and white glossy reproduction image of Farrar. $ 45

Celebrated American operatic soprano and film actress, noted for her beauty, acting ability and "the intimate timbre of her voice." She had a large following amoung young women who were nicknamed Gerry-flappers.

LOUIS MELANCON PHOTOGRAPHY

We have four 8"x10" black and white, matte-finish, heavyweight operatic character stills by Melancon, all in very good to fine condition. None of these is signed. The two we can identify are Carlo Bergonzi and Hermann Uhde. These images are circa 1960s.

Each $ 20 (cgdw)

We have many other quality operatic prints (unsigned) by Louis Melancon. Some of the performers are unrecognizable, others are identified. Please inquire.

GIELGUD, (SIR) JOHN (1904-2000)

Signed photograph: 8"x10" color glossy character still from Prospero's Books, nicely signed in blue marker pen. In excellent condition. $ 100

2. Signed photograph: 8"x10" color, matte-finish, formal portrait signed in black marker pen. The celebrated thespian is seated in an ornate wooden chair, wearing a blazer. $ 125

Arguably the greatest Shakespearing actor of the 20th Century. A highly distinguished and prolific performer on stage and screen.

RYSANEK, LEONIE

Magnificent Louis Melancon operatic character still in excellent condition. Boldly dedicated and signed For Mr. Wiegand, thank you very much, Leonie Rysanek." From Macbeth. $ 95 (cgdw)

PRICE, LEOTYNE (Mary Violet) (1927- )

Signed photograph: 8"x10" black and white glossy character still as Leonora in Il Trovatore. $ 145

Acclamed operatic soprano. Best known for the title role of Verdi's Aida. Retired from the stage in 1985 but continued to give recitals for another dozen years. Among her many honors are The Presidential medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts. She also is the recipient of 19 Grmmy Awards, including a special Lifetime Achievement Award, more than any other classical singer.

TIBBETT, LAWRENCE (1896-1960)

Magnificent 8"x10" sepia-tone glossy publicity character still of the great operatic baritone-actor. Signed in fountain pen ink. In very good condition. This is a Clarence Sinclair Bull print of Tibbett from the 1930 film The Rogues Song. Highly desirable. $ 135

Tibbett was born at the end of the "wild west" era. He was only six when his father, who was a county deputy sheriff, was killed by bandits. After training with, among others, Met bass Basil Ruysdael, Tibbett joined the Met, adding another "t" to his name in his initial contract. He made his company debut in the small role of Lovitsky in Mussorgsky's Boris Godonov in 1923. Two years later he caused a sensation as Ford in Verdi's Falstaff and his future with the company was assured. At home in French, Italian, German and English opera, Tibbett created the leads in numerous Met premiers, most notably in Deems Taylor's The King's Henchman, Verdi's Simon Boccanegra and Louis Gruenberg's The Emperor Jones. Blessed in his younger days with boyish good looks, in addition to his powerful voice, he was one of the first great opera stars to enjoy success in Hollywood films, most notably 1929's The Rogue Song which garnered him an Oscar nomination.

SEE ALSO Cornell, Katharine - we have an interesting T.Ls.S. from Cornell to Tibbett on her performance in Romeo and Juliet.

TYNES, MARGARET (1929- )

Dedicated and signed 8"x10" black and white operatic character still glossy in performance as Salome. $ 35 (cgdw)

Tynes enjoyed a phenomenal international career as a singer in opera, jazz and theater for over 50 years. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University (BA 1939) and Columbia University (MA 1944), she starred as Harry Belafonte’s leading lady off-Broadway in a show he produced called Sing Man, Sing! She also recorded a jazz suite called A Drum is a Woman with Duke Ellington and made several appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. In 1961, she gained international acclaim as Salomé at the Spoleto Festival of the Two Worlds in Italy, where she lived for more than 40 years.

FLAGSTAD, KIRSTIN (1895-1962)

Norwegian operatic soprano. One of the greatest Wagnerian operatic sopranos. Vintage fountain pen signature on a small card accompanied by a 8"x10" black and white glossy character still (operatic scene). $ 165 (net to all).

FLEMING, RENEE -

American operatic soprano. Signed 8”x10” color glossy character still from Bellini’s Il Pirata. Professionally matted in a beautiful board with grey, gold and blue tones, encased in Mylar sleeve. SOLD

STEBER, ELEANOR (1914-1990)

Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, (two sides of fold-over note). Dated 1939, Boston, addressed to Mr. Bimboni. Thanks Bimboni for granting her an audition and expressing the hope that they will collaborate again. Accompanied by a vintage advertising image of Steber at the height of her operatic career. $ 100

BORKH, INGE (1917 - )

Very early 8"x10" sepia-tone glossy which she has simply signed and added Stratford 1956. Nota bene: There is some vertical crackling in the right hand border, well away from the autograph (could be matted over). Unusual to find a signed photo from this early period of her career. $ 45 (cgdw)

German-born Swiss operatic soprano. Made her debut in 1940 at the opera in Lucerne as Czipra in Johann Strauss II's Der Ziguenerbaron. She remained in Switzerland until 1951, when she sang a sensasional Magda in the first German-language performance of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Consul in Basle. It was her key to international stardom, leading to engagements in the world's great opera houses: Vienna, Munich, Berlin, London, New York, and San Francisco. She triumphed in her portrayals of the most challenging dramatic roles.

COHAN, GEORGE M.

A Yankee Doodle Dandy of a Man - Vintage signature on a small piece of paper, professionally matted with a sheet of US commemorative stamps honoring Cohan as well as a vintage black and white photograph. $ 250

American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer and producer. Known as "the man who owned Broadway" in the decade before WWI. He is considered the father of American musical comedy.

OPERATIC STILLS & PORTRAITS

We have dozens of black and white glossy and matte-finish portraits and operatic stills. Some are by Bender, Kriegsmann, Melancon, Foto Piccagliani, Sedge Le Blang, Bruno of Hollywood. Most are identified. The majority of stills are $10 each while the Bruno of Hollywood, (James Melton) is $20. Some of the performers include: Mildred Miller, Gladys Swarthout, Fernando Corena, Cesare Siepi, Louis Kentner, Kirsten Flagstad, Enrico Caruso, (RCA Victor Treasure of Immortal Performances) Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Raina Kabaivanska, Dame Nellie Melba, Mary Garden. Please inquire.

All items that we offer are subject to prior sale. Prices are in effect at the time of offering but may change without notice. New York residents must add 8.75% sales tax. Telephone inquiries welcome Mon-Sat 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (EST). You may also email us at ron@weekesautographs.com.

Fake or Real! Sadly, this is an ever-growing list. Buyer beware.

Walt Whitman

Gwendolyn Brooks

William Faulkner