Opera a'graphs N-Pe

Autographs: opera singers N - Pe

N.B. Items are not shown to scale with each other, and measurements are approximate

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Go to Autographs A-G, Autographs H-Q, Autographs R-Z for full list of items

above: detail of Marita Napier autograph

Marita Napier - 1939-2004, South African soprano. She was one of the greatest South African singers of the 20th century, and made her USA debut as Sieglinde in Die Walküre for San Francisco Opera, a role which she then sang at La Scala Milan. She performed Wagner roles at the Metropolitan Opera and Covent Garden, her repertoire including Brünnhilde, Isolde, Elsa, Venus, Elizabeth, Senta, Tosca, Turandot, Beethoven's Leonore, Aida and Lady Macbeth, - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £20

above: detail of Carol Neblett autograph

Carol Neblett - born 1946, American soprano - She made her professional debut with New York City Opera as Musetta, becoming a regular artist with them for many years; her roles included Tosca, Violetta and Mozart's Countess. In 1979 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Senta, returning regularly to sing Tosca, Amelia, Alice Ford, Musetta, and her most famous role, Minnie in La Fanciulla Del West, a role which she recorded among a number others - 4 x 5 inches (10 x 13 cm) autographed photo. £18

above: detail of Birgot Nilsson autograph

Birgit Nilsson - 1918-2005, Swedish soprano. She was the outstanding Wagner soprano of her generation (Isolde, Sieglinde, Brünnhilde), and the finest Elektra of all. She made her Covent Garden debut in 1957 as Brünnhilde, returning for Isolde, Emilia (Un Ballo in Maschera), Elektra, Turandot and Leonore. In 1959 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Isolde, returning frequently over the next three decades - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. SOLD

Birgit Nilsson - 1918-2005, Swedish soprano, the outstanding Wagner soprano of her generation (Isolde, Sieglinde, Brunnhilde), and the finest Elektra of all; she made her Covent Garden debut in 1957 as Brünnhilde, returning for Isolde, Emilia (Un Ballo in Maschera), Elektra, Turandot and Leonore. In 1959 she made her Met debut as Isolde, returning frequently over the next three decades - 4.75 x 7.25 inches (12 x 18.5 cm) autographed photo. £40 [ref: BN2]

above: detail of Siegmund Nimsgern autograph

Siegmund Nimsgern - born 1940, German bass-baritone who had a large operatic repertoire. He was particularly noted for his Wotan, Dutchman, Klingsor and Kurtwenal at Bayreuth, and his Mandyka in Arabella which he sang in many of the world's great opera houses, including Covent Garden. His other roles included Pizarro, Scarpia, Bluebeard and Escamillo - 4.75 x 7 inches (12 x 18 cm) autographed photo showing him as Mandryka. £18 [ref: SN1]

above: detail of Siegmund Nimsgern autograph

Siegmund Nimsgern - born 1940, German bass-baritone who had a large operatic repertoire. He was particularly noted for his Wotan, Dutchman, Klinsor and Kurtwenal at Bayreuth, and his Mandryka in Arabella which he sang in many of the world's great opera houses including Covent Garden. His other roles included Pizarro, Bluebeard, Escamillo and Scarpia - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £18 [ref: SN2]

Dennis Noble - 1899-1966, British baritone, principal with English Opera Company and Royal Opera, baritone soloist in the world premier of William Walton's oratorio Belshazzar's Feast - 2.75 x 3.5 inches (6.5 x 9 cm) small autographed photo. Condition: fragment of paper stuck to reverse where item has been stuck in album. £16

above: detail of Dennis Noble autograph

above: detail of Jarmila Novotna autograph

Jarmila Novotna - 1907-1994, Czech soprano. In 1933 she joined the Vienna Staatsoper, and from 1940 she sang at the Metroplolitan Opera New York, where her roles included Donna Elvira, Pamina, Octavian, Violetta, Freia and Mélisande. Her wide repertoire included Butterfly, the title roles in La Belle Hélène and The Merry Widow, and Mozart's Countess - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £25

Leo Nucci - born 1942, Italian baritone; after singing in the chorus of La Scala Milan, he made his debut there as a principal in 1976 as Rossini's Figaro, and then at ROH Covent Garden in 1978 as Verdi's Miller, and at the Metropolitan Opera New York as Renato. His many roles include Rigoletto, Amonasro, Macbeth, Di Luna, Germont, Posa, Falstaff, Iago and Scarpia - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed in 1985 after singing Di Luna in Il Trovatore at ROH Covent Garden. £10

Elena Obratsova - born 1939, Russian mezzo-soprano, famed for her Amneris and Delilah, especially at the Metropolitan Opera and at ROH Covent Garden - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed after singing Azucena at ROH in 1985. £12

Derek Oldham - 1887-1968, British tenor; principal with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company 1919-37, playing all the famous Gilbert and Sullivan tenor roles - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Best wishes, Derek Oldham". £20 [ref: DO1]

above: detail of Derek Oldham autograph

Derek Oldham - 1887-1968, British tenor; served as an officer in WW1 and decorated for gallantry, he became a principal with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company 1919-37, playing all the famous Gilbert and Sullivan tenor roles including Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance. His recording of "A Wandering Minstrel I" from The Mikado was particularly famous - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. Condition: fragments of paper stuck to reverse where item has been glued into album. £18 [ref: DO2]

above: detail of Derek Oldham autograph

Derek Oldham - 1887-1968, British tenor; served as an officer in WW1 and decorated for gallantry, he became a principal with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company 1919-37, playing all the famous Gilbert and Sullivan tenor roles including Fairfax in The Yeomen of the Guard and Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance. His recording of "A Wandering Minstrel I" from The Mikado is particularly famous - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard. £20 [ref: DO3]

Derek Oldham - 1887-1968, British tenor; an officer in WW1, he won the Military Cross for gallantry, and then became a principal with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company 1919-1937, playing all of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan tenor roles, including Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance, Fairfax in The Yeomen of the Guard, and Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore. His recording of Nanki-Poo's "A Wandering Minstrel I" from The Mikado is particularly famous - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed "Parkslee" postcard, signed: "Yours sincerely, Derek Oldham" in dark blue ink. £25 [ref: DO5]

Anne Sophie von Otter - born 1955, Swedish mezzo-soprano; superb in trouser-roles, and as Cherubino she made her debuts at both the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 1985 and the Metropolitan Opera in 1988, and has since sung worldwide as Dorabella, Dido, Idamantes, Octavian, Hansel and Charlotte (Werther). She has a large repertoire of lieder and songs, and has made many recordings - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, with dedication: "For Bashir Khan with best wishes, Anne Sophie von Otter". £18

Ingrid Paller - born 1925, German soprano; she sang at most of the major Austrian and German opera houses, including for the Bavarian State Opera, the Vienna Staatsoper, at Salzburg and at Bayreth. Her roles included Pamina, Gilda and the Woodbird in Siegfried - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £15

Rolando Panerai - born 1924, Italian baritone with large repertoire and long career. He made his name at Salzburg, singing roles including Ford, Masetto and Guglielmo. In 1960 he made his ROH Covent Garden debut as Rossini's Figaro, later becoming a huge favourite in buffo roles including Dulcamara, Don Pasquale and Don Alfonso - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Fayer photo; really nice earlier photo and autograph. £30

Walter Passmore - 1867-1946, British baritone with D'Oyly Carte Opera Company (1893-1903), creating the title role in The Grand Duke; later had a long career in musical comedy - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Rotary postcard, postally-used in 1908, signed: "Yrs sincerely, Walter Passmore". £25

above: detail of Julius Patzak autograph

Julius Patzak - 1898-1974, Austrian tenor; an intelligent and stylish singer with a huge repertoire. In a career disputed by WW2 he sang for Munich Staatsoper from 1928 until the end of the war, when he joined Vienna Staatsoper; he made his Covent Garden debut in 1938 as Tamino, returning in 1947-8 as Florestan, Herod and Hoffmann - 4.25 x 5 inches (10.5 x 13 cm) autographed photo with personal message in German. £35 [ref: JP1]

above: detail of Julius Patzak autograph

Julius Patzak - 1898-1974, Austrian tenor; an intelligent and stylish singer with a huge repertoire. In a career disrupted by WW2 he sang for Munich Staatsoper from 1928 until the end of the war, when he joined Vienna Staatsoper; he made his Covent Garden debut in 1938 as Tamino, returning in 1947-8 as Florestan, Herod and Hoffmann - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £50 [ref: JP2]

above: detail of Julius Patzak autograph

Luciano Pavarotti - 1935-2007, Italian tenor. Although a huge popular star with a large following, he was a serious artist whose magnificent lyric tenor voice was heard in dozens of roles at all of the world's major opera houses. He made a name for himself in Italy, particularly in the role of Puccini's Rodolfo, and in 1963 made his debut in this role at ROH Covent Garden, followed by Alfredo, Cavaradossi, Nemorino, and he had a huge success as Tonio in Donnizetti's La Fille Du Regiment. His recording of Nessum Dorma was a huge hit, although Calaf was a role that proved rather too heavy for him in the opera house, and he gained international fame as one of the Three Tenors together with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. He made hundreds of recordings of operas and Italian songs - 4.25 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed Decca publicity card, nicely signed in black marker pen, with dedication, signed: "Per caro Ricardo, Luciano Pavarotti '89". £35 [ref: LP2]

Luciano Pavarotti - 1935-2007, Italian tenor. Although a huge popular star with a large following, he was a serious artist whose magnificent lyric tenor voice was heard in dozens of roles at all of the world's major opera houses. He made a name for himself in Italy, particularly in the role of Puccini's Rodolfo, and in 1963 made his debut in this role at ROH Covent Garden, followed by Alfredo, Cavaradossi, Nemorino, and he had a huge success as Tonio in Donnizetti's La Fille Du Regiment. His recording of Nessum Dorma was a huge hit, although Calaf was a role that proved rather too heavy for him in the opera house, and he gained international fame as one of the Three Tenors together with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. He made hundreds of recordings of operas and Italian songs - 8.25 x 11.75 inches (21 x 30 cm) large autographed Decca publicity card, nicely signed in black marker pen. You won't find a better one. £75 [ref: LP3]

Lucy Peacock - born 1947, American (Texan) soprano and actress; she was a member of the Deutsche Oper Berlin for many years, and she sang in most of the major German and Austrian opera houses; her Musetta was particularly admired, and she regularly performed at Salzberg, and sang Eva in Die Meistersinger at Bayreuth; she has also played straight roles in theatre and films - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing her as Valencienne in The Merry Widow at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. £15

[N.B. She is not to be confused with the young British soprano of the same name, whose very promising career is just starting.]

above: detail of Peter Pears autograph

Peter Pears - 1910-1986, British tenor. In 1943 he joined Sadlers Wells Opera where his roles included Tamino, the Duke of Mantua, Rodolfo and Alfredo. He is particularly associated with the tenor roles written for him by his partner, Benjamin Britten, including the title roles in Peter Grimes and Albert Herring, and leading roles in Billy Budd, Death in Venice, The Rape of Lucretia, and the tenor solo in War Requiem. - 4 x 2.75 inches (9.75 x 7 cm) autographed small page from autograph book, signed in blue ink (clearer than appears on these scans): "All good wishes, Peter Pears". The autograph is dated 21/7/46, when Peter Pears was singing the role of Male Chorus in the first production of Benjamin Britten's opera The Rape of Lucretia at Glyndebourne. £35

Jan Peerce - 1904-1984, American tenor who had a 50-year singing career. He was particularly noted for his Verdi and Puccini roles - in his prime his voice was large, with a superb ringing top, and he had a fine technique, but his small stature frequently counted against him. He made his professional debut in Philadelphia as the Duke of Mantua, making his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1941 as Alfredo in La Traviata, and singing dozens of roles with them until he left in 1968, to sing in Europe where he became the first American tenor to sing with the Bolshoi Opera since the war. In the 1940s he sang the tenor leads in Toscanini's radio broadcasts and recordings of La Boheme, La Traviata, Fidelio, Un Ballo in Maschera and Act 3 of Rigoletto - 10 x 8 inches (25.5 x 20 cm) large autographed photo with dedication, signed: "To David Wood, all good wishes, Jan Peerce 1982". £35

above: detail of Janet Perry autograph

Janet Perry - born 1947, American soprano who built her career in Germany, singing for Cologne Opera and Bavarian State Opera. She sang at many of the world's major opera houses and festivals including Glydebourne and Salzburg; her roles include Zerlina, Sophie, Suzannah and Adele, and is now a notable singing teacher - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed record company publicity card, nicely signed in black ball-pen. £20

Roberta Peters - born 1930, American soprano who famously made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Zerlina, at short notice and with no previous stage experience; she later sang 18 other roles there including the Queen of the Night, Gilda, Norma, Rosina, Oscar, Despina and Lucia. She made her Covent Garden debut in 1951, singing the title role in The Bohemian Girl under Sir Thomas Beecham - autograph on 4 x 3 inches small cream-coloured thin gatefold visiting card, with her name printed on, signed: "Sincerely, Roberta Peters" in dark blue ink. Condition: slight marks on reverse where item has been in album. £15

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