Opera autographs J-L

Autographs: opera singers J - L

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

All prices are in GB Pounds

Go to Make a purchase to buy any of these items, and for terms and conditions

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

above: detail of Hilda Jacobsen autograph

Hilda Jacobsen - British mezzo-soprano, who sang with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, playing Kate in The Pirates of Penzance in the Company's main cast at the Savoy Theatre, then playing principal soubrette roles in their touring "C" cast, where her roles included Constance in The Sorcerer, Hebe in HMS Pinafore, Phoebe in The Yeomen of the Guard and Tessa in The Gondoliers. She later sang leading roles in musical comedy on the West End stage, including in The Orchid, The Toreador and The Catch of the Season - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard, signed: "Yrs. Hilda Jacobsen". Item wes sent through the post in 1905 and has address but no message in H.J.'s handwriting. Condition: creases to both bottom corners. £14

above: detail of Gundula Janowitz autograph

Guldula Janowitz - born 1937, German soprano. She made her professional debut in 1960 as Barbarina at the Vienna Staatsoper, where she regularly appeared over the next 30 years. She has appeared at all of the world's major opera houses, and in 1967 she made her professional debut as Sieglinde; at Salzburg she sang Donna Anna, the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, Fiordiligi, Ariadne and The Marschallin. At the Royal Opera House Covent Garden she sang Donna Anna and Ariadne - 6 x 4 inches (15 x 10.5 cm) autographed photo. £35 [ref: GJ2]

above: detail of Gundula Janowitz

Gundula Janowitz - born 1937, German soprano. She made her professional debut as Barbarina at the Vienna Staatsoper, where she regularly appeared during the next 30 years. She has appeared at all of the world's major opera houses, making her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1967 as Sieglinde; at Salzburg she sang Donna Anna, The Countess, Fiordiligi, Ariadne and The Marschallin; at Covent Garden she sang Donna Anna and Ariadne. With a supremely beautiful voice, she has always been a singers' singer - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing her as Leonore in Fidelio at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Condition: card surface is slightly top-middle edge. £35 [ref: GJ3]

above: detail of Alfred Jerger autograph

Alfred Jerger - 1889-1976, Austrian bass-baritone. He was a versatile singer with a huge repertoire: at the Vienna Staatsoper he sang over 150 different roles, including Leporello, both Beckmesser and Hans Sach in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Orestes, Mephistofeles, Scarpia, Baron Ochs, King Philip, Barak and Pizarro. He famously created the role of Mandryka in Richard Strauss' Arabella, which he sang at Covent Garden in 1934 - 3.25 x 5.25 inches (8.5 x 13 cm) autographed photo. Nice young photo and autograph. £40 [ref: AJ1]

above: detail of Alfred Jerger autograph

Alfred Jerger - 1889-1976, Austrian bass-baritone; a versatile singer with a huge repertoire. At the Vienna Staatsoper he sang over 150 different roles, including Leporello, both Hans Sachs and Bechmesser in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Orestes, Mephistopheles, Scarpia, King Philip, Baron Ochs, Barak and Pizarro. He famously created the role of Mandryka in Strauss' Arabella, which he sang at Covent Garden in 1934 - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x14 cm) autographed photo. £40 [ref: AJ2]

above: detail of Alfred Jerger autograph

Alfred Jerger - 1889-1976, Austrian bass-baritone; he was a versatile singer with a huge repertoire. At the Vienna Staatsoper he sang over 150 different roles, including Leporello, both Hans Sachs and Beckmesser in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Orestes, Mephistopheles, Scarpia, King Philip, Baron Ochs, Barak and Pizarro. He famously created the role of Mandryka in Strauss' Arabella, which he sang at Covent Garden in 1934 - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £40 [ref: AJ3]

above: detail of Siegfried Jerusalem autograph

Siegfried Jerusalem - born 1940; German tenor, who initially had a 17-year career as an orchestral basoonist, before making his professional debut as a heldentenor, singing the title role in Lohengrin throughout Europe, and at the Metropolitan Opera in 1980. He made his Covent Garden debut in 1986 as Erik in The Flying Dutchman, and at Bayreuth he has sung Walther, Froh, Lohengrin, Parsifal, Tristan and Loge. His repertoire also includes Florestan, Tamino, Idomeneo and Lensky. and he has made many recordings - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing him as Florestan in Fidelio. £20 [ref: SJ1]

Siegfried Jerusalem - born 1940, German tenor - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed 1986 at Covent Garden after the first night of The Flying Dutchman, the night he made his Covent Garden debut. £12 [ref: SJ2]

Patricia Johnson - born 1934, British mezzo-soprano; she sang in the chorus at Covent Garden, joining Sadlers Wells Opera in 1954 as a principal, where her roles included Carmen and Delilah. She moved to Covent Garden where her many character roles included Annina in Der Rosenkavalier - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9cm) white page from autograph book, signed after singing Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro at Covent Garden in 1986. £10

above: detail of Gwyneth Jones autograph

Gwyneth Jones - born 1936, British (Welsh) soprano. She made her debut at Welsh National Opera as Verdi's Lady Macbeth, but gained virtually instant fame when she stood in for an indisposed Leontyne Price as Leonora in Il Trovatore at Covent Garden in 1964. She went on to sing Verdi, Puccini, Strauss and Wagner roles in all of the world's major opera houses. In 1972 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde, eventually giving 93 performances there, including 20 as the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier. Her other notable roles included Turandot, Salome, Senta, Ariadne, Donna Anna, Desdemona, Octavian and the title role in Madama Butterfly - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing her as Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, nicely signed in blue marker-pen. £25 [ref: GJ1]

Gwyneth Jones - born 1936, British (Welsh) soprano who made her debuts at Welsh National Opera and Covent Garden as Lady Macbeth, going on to sing Verdi, Puccini and Wagner roles throughout the world; in 1972 she made her Met debut as Sieglinde - autograph in blue biro on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed 24/1/86 after singing the title role in Turandot at Covent Garden. £15 [ref: GJ2]

above: detail of Madfred Jung autograph

Manfred Jung - born 1940, German tenor, particularly known for singing Wagner roles. After a spell in the early 1970s in the chorus at Bayreuth, from 1977 he performed major roles there, including Siegfried, Parsifal and Loge. In Salzburg he has played Tristan and Parsifal. He made his debut with the Vienna Staatsoper in 1981, and in 1982 sang the tenor roles in the Ring Cycle at the Metropolitan Opera. Towards the end of his career he sang character roles, and more recently he has directed - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing him as Max in Der Freischutz in Berlin in 1977, signed: "Herzliebst, Manfred Jung". £25

above: detail of Kristján Jóhannsson autograph

Kristján Jóhannsson - born 1948, Icelandic tenor. He has sung Verdi, Puccini, Beethoven and Wagner roles in many of the world's greatest opers houses, most notably I Due Foscari at La Scala Milan, in 1988, Tosca at the Lyric Opera Chicago in 1989, Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera in 1993, and Aida at Covent Garden in 1994. Radames in Aida is his most famous role, and one which he has recorded twice - 3.5 x 5 inches (9 x 13 cm) autographed photo, showing him as Manrico in Il Trovatore at the Metropolitan Opera New York. £25

above: detail of Sena Jurinac autograph

Sena Jurinac - 1921-2011; Croatian-Austrian soprano, who also sang mezzo-soprano roles. A major operatic star of the 1940s and 50s, she performed at most of the world's great opera houses, where her repertoire included Mimi, both the Countess and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Octavian, Sophie and the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier: many regard her as the finest Octavian of all - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, dated "April 1965" on reverse. £40 [ref: SJ1]

above: detail of Sena Jurinac autograph

Sena Jurinac - 1921-2011; Croation-Austrian soprano, who also sang mezzo-soprano roles. She was a major operatic star of the 1940s and 50s, and performed at most of the world's great opera houses where her repertoire included both the Countess and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro; Octavian, Sophie and the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier, many regarding her as the finest Octavian of all - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £35 [ref: SJ2]

above: detail of Karl Kamann autograph

Karl Kamann - 1899-1959; German bass-baritone, whose career at the Vienna Staatsoper, Bayreuth and other German opera houses included roles such as Don Fernando in Fidelio, Di Luna, the title role in Wozzeck, and Barak in Die Frau Ohne Schatten. In 1953 he sang Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £25

Simon Keenlyside autograph detail

Simon Keenlyside - born 1959, British baritone. In 1988 he made his professional debut as the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro for Hamburg State Opera, and from 1989 to 1`994 sang for Scottish Opera where his roles included Marcello, Danilo, Billy Budd, Papageno, Belcore and Guglielmo. In 1989 he made his Covent Garden debut as Silvio, followed shortly by roles at English National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera New York. In 2010 his performances of Rodrigo opposite Roberto Alagna's Don Carlo at the Met caused a sensation. A hugely intelligent singer and fine actor, he has now sung at virtually all of the world's great opera houses, and has made numerous recordings - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £20

above: detail of Walter Keppel autograph

Walter Keppel - 1923-2003, German bass. He was a member of the Vienna Staatsoper from 1960 until the mid-1970s, also singing frequently in Munich and Berlin. He was a fine Pogner, King Marke, Padre Guardiano, Commendatore, Ramphis and Rocco. He made his Covent Garden debut in 1962 as Sarastro, and His Bayreuth debut in 1963 as Fasolt - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, nicely signed in firm blue biro. Condition: large fragments of paper stuck to the reverse, where item has been stuck onto page. £15

above: detail of Robert Kerns autograph

Robert Kerns - 1933-1989, American baritone. A fine actor as well as an excellent singer, he was most famous as Puccini's Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, which he sang in many of the world's major opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, and sang in Decca's famous recording with Freni and Pavarotti. He was a fine Billy Budd at Covent Garden, and was later a notable Germont, Marcello, Onegin, Posa, Ford and Falstaff - 3.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Für Brigitte, Robert Kerns". Nice young autograph. Condition: slight wear to top right corner. £35

above: detail of James King autograph

James King - 1925-2005; American tenor who sang at most of the world's greatest opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, La Scala Milan, Vienna Staatsoper and Bayreuth. An intense atrist with great vocal stamina, he specialised in heavy tenor roles such as Florestan, Bacchus, Otello, Don José, Calaf, Siegmund, Parsifal and Walther von Stolzing. He recorded many of these roles, and his performance of the Emperor in Strauss' Die Frau Ohne Schatten is regarded by many as being definitive - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, showing him in costume , probably as Wagner's Lohengrin, signed: "Herzliebst, James King". £25 [ref: JK1]

above: detail of James King autograph

James King - 1925-2005; American tenor who performed at most of the world's major opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera New York, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, La Scala Milan, Vienna Staatsoper and Bayreuth; an intense artist with great voacl stamina, he specialised in heavy tenor roles such as Florestan, Bacchus, Don José, Calaf, Otello, Parsifal and Siegmund, many of which he recorded. His interpretation of the Emperor in Strauss' Die Frau Ohne Schatten is regarded by many as definitive - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, showing him as Walther von Stolzing in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. £25 [ref: JK2]

above: detail of James King autograph

James King - 1925-2005; American tenor who sang at nearly all of the world's major opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera New York, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, La Scala Milan, Vienna Staatsoper, and Bayreuth. An intense singer with great vocal and dramatic stamina, he specialised in heldentenor and spinto tenor roles, including Bacchus, Florestan, Otello, Siegmund, Don José, Calaf, Parsifal and Walther von Stolzing. He recorded many of these roles, and his performance of the Emperor in Strauss' Die Frau Ohne Schatten is regarded by many as being definitive - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, signed: "All best wishes, James King, Salzburg 1979". £25 [ref: JK3]

above: detail of James King autograph

James King - 1925-2005; American tenor who sang at nearly all of the world's great opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera New York, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, La Scala Milan, Vienna Staatsoper, and Bayreuth. An intense singer with great vocal and dramatic stamina, he specialised in heldentenor and spinto tenor roles, such as Bacchus, Florestan, Don José, Otello, Calaf, Siegmund, Parsifal and Walther von Stolzing. He recorded many of his roles, and his performance of the Emperor in Strauss' Die Frau Ohne Schatten is regarded by many as being definitive - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, with inscription in german. £25 [ref: JK4]

Louise Kirkby-Lunn - 1873-1930, British mezzo-soprano. She was famed for her big voice and fine technique. She made numerous appearances at Covent Garden, including as a member of the Carl Rosa Opera Company in Sir Arthur Sullivan's sacred music drama The Martyr of Antioch. Other roles there included Siébel (Faust), Ortrud, Brangäne, Fricka, Delilah, Carmen, Olga (Eugene Onegin) and Amneris. She sang for two seasons at the Metropolitan Opera, 1902-3 and 1906-7 - autograph on 4.5 x 7 inches (11 x 18 cm) white page from autograph book (see above), signed: "Sincerely yours, Kirkby Lunn". £35

[Item comes with Beagles postcard of "Madame Kirkby Lunn", shown right, which is unsigned.]

above: detail of Franz Klarwein autograph

Franz Klarwein - 1914-1991, German lyric tenor. He began his professional career at the Berlin Volksoper, and became famous as member of the Bavarian State Opera. He was a friend and potégé of Richard Strauss, who cast him in a number of his operas, including in the German premiere of Capriccio - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard, dated 4.x.42, with a second autograph on the reverse. £25

above: detail of Peter Klein autograph

Peter Klein - 1907-1992, German lyric tenor, who sang with the Vienna Staatsoper during WW2, and then after the war joined the Metropolitan Opera New York, where his repertoire included Mozart's Don Basilio, Mime, Jaquino and Pedrillo - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £15

above: detail of Margarete Klose autograph

Margarete Klose - 1902-1968, German mezzo-soprano; she sang at the Berlin Staatsoper, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Vienna Staatsoper, Royal Opera Covent Garden, La Scala Milan and regularly at Bayreuth, where her Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde was considered definitive. Her opera repertoire was large (Wagner, Verdi and Strauss) as well as German lieder, and she was reputed to be Fürtwängler's favourite mezzo-soprano - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Margarete Klose, 'Brangäne'". £75

above: detail of Rene Kollo autograph

Rene Kollo - born 1937, German tenor. Initially a lyric tenor, his fine technique allowed him to sing heavier roles; he sang Walther at Bayreuth in 1973, returning for Siegfried. In 1976 he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Lohengrin, and his Covent Garden debut as Siegmund. He had a wide repertoire, and his roles included Parsifal, Florestan, Hermann, Bacchus, Tristan, Walther von Stolzing, Canio, Otello and Peter Grimes - 4.25 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed record company card, signed in firm blue biro. £25 [ref: RK1]

above: detail of Rene Kollo autograph

Rene Kollo - born 1937, German tenor. Initially a lyric tenor, his fine technique allowed him to sing heavier roles; he sang Walther at Bayreuth in 1973, returning for Siegfried. In 1976 he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Lohengrin, and his Covent Garden debut as Siegmund. He had a wide repertoire, and his roles included Parsifal, Florestan, Hermann, Bacchus, Tristan, Walther von Stolzing, Canio, Otello and Peter Grimes - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed record company (Eurodisc) publicity photo. £25 [ref: RK2]

above: detail of Anny Konetzni autograph

Anny Konetzni - 1902-1968, Austrian soprano, elder sister of soprano Hilde Konetzni. Initially trained as a contralto, she later became a famous Brünnhilde, a role which she sang at Covent Garden under Sir Thomas Beecham in 1935. She sang at the Metropolitan Opera 1934-5, where her roles included Brünnhilde, Venus, Ortrud and Isolde. She also sang Ariadne and the Marschallin in many of the world's major opera houses; at Salzburg, she was one of Toscannini's favourite Isoldes - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Herzleibst! Anny Konetzni". £65

above: detail of Helge Konetzni autograph

Hilde Konetzni - 1905-1980, Austrian soprano, younger sister of soprano Anny Konetzni. For many years she was a member of the Vienna Staatsoper, and in a career that was disrupted by WW2, she still managed to sing the role of Sieglinde (the one for which she was most famous) in Vienna, Prague, the Paris Opera, La Scala, and Covent Garden. Other roles included Brünnhilde, Isolde and the Marschallin. She was very popular in Vienna, and continued singing there right up to her death aged 75 - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, with message in German, showing her in costume. £30

above: detail of Urszula Koszut autograph

Urszula Koszut - born 1940, Polish soprano. She made her professional debut in Warsaw in 1966 and sang for Stuttgart Opera in the late 1960s, then at Hamburg opera in the early 1970s, and then at Vienna Opera from 1973 to 1979. Her roles included Lucia, Gilda, Violetta, Olympia and the Queen of the Night. She made a number of recordings, most notably of Bach oratorios, and three different versions of Beethoven's 9th Symphony - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Urzula Koszut, Hamburg 8.6.72". £20

above: detail of Fritz Krenn autograph

Fritz Krenn - 1887-1963, Austrian bass-baritone. From 1920 to 1925 he sang with the Vienna Staatsoper, then with the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin and in Cologne until the war, when he sang extensively in the USA having fled from Austria, his wife being Jewish. His large repertoire included Papageno, Jokannan (Salome), Leporello (Don Giovanni), Kecal (The Bartered Bride), Don Pizarro (Fidelio), Kothner (Die Meistersinger), Klingsor (Parsifal), Waldner (Arabella) and King Marke (Tristan und Isolde), but by far his most famous role was Baron Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier, which he sang nearly 400 times: after the war he was the first choice for this role throughout the world, including at Covent Garden, and in 1950 he sang seven performances of the role at the Metropolitan Opera New York - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Baron Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier, signed in black ink and dated 1954, with a message in German (see scans above). £45

above: detail of Erich Kunz autograph

Erich Kunz - 1909-1995, Austrian bass-baritone, who sang regularly with the Vienna Staatsoper in the 1940s. He was particularly noted for his Mozart interpretations, and after the war he sang Guglielmo at Glyndebourne, and Leporello, Guglielmo and Figaro at Covent Garden and at the Metropolitan Opera New York - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 a 15 cm) autographed photo, showing him as Beckmesser in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at Bayreuth, with a message in German, dated 1943. £70

above: detail of Selma Kurz autograph

Selma Kurz - 1874-1933, Austrian soprano; a major artist of her day, she performed a large variety of roles, including Tosca and Sieglinde. She became particularly famous as the greatest coloratura soprano of her day, singing roles such as Oscar, Gilda and Zerbinetta, particularly at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and in Vienna - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard, signed in blue ink - a lovely autograph. £120

above: detail of Benno Kusch autograph

Benno Kusch - 1916-2010, German baritone, who sang at the Munich Staatsoper from 1946 until the early 1980s. He made his Covent Garden debut in 1951 as Beckmesser, and was a regular at Glyndebourne, where his Leporello was particularly admired. His Metropolitan Opera debut, also as Beckmesser, was in 1971, and his interpretations of Faninal, Alberich, Papageno, Don Alfonso, Figaro and Gianni Schicchi were considered amongst the finest of the post-war era - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, dated 1952. £30 [ref: BK1]

above: detail of Benno Kusch autograph

Benno Kusch - 1916-2010, German baritone, who sang at the Munich Staatsoper from 1946 until the early 1980s. He made his Covent Garden debut in 1951 as Beckmesser, and was a regular performer at Glyndebourne, where his Leporello was particularly admired. His Metropolitan Opera debut, also as Beckmesser, was in 1971, and his interpretations of Faninal, Alberich, Papageno, Don Alfonso, Figaro and Gianni Schicchi were considered amongst the finest of the post-war era - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £30 [ref: BK2]

above: detail of Krisztina Laki autograph

Krisztina Laki - born 1944, Hungarian coloratura soprano, who had an international career, but mostly sang in Germany. She made her professional debut as Gilda at the Stadttheater Bern, where she also sang the Queen of the Night and Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier. In 1977 she made her debut at La Scala Milan as Blonde in Mozart's Die Enführung. During the 1980s she sang for Cologne Opera, later teaching, holding masterclasses, and she now regularly appears on the juries of singing competitions. She made a number of recordings, most notably the role of Zemina in Wagner's Die Feen - 4 x 5.75 inches (10 x 14.5 cm) autographed photo, signed Krisztina Laki, 30.10.78. £20

above: detail of Giorgio Lamberti autograph

Giorgio Lamberti - born 1938, Italian tenor; he made his professional bedut in Rome in 1964 as Arrigo in I Vespri Siciliani, going on to sing Radames In Chicago, Don José in Baltimore and Manrico in Cairo. In 1970 he famously replaced Franco Corelli at Verona in Carmen. In his career he sang over 80 roles, but was particularly noted for Puccini and Verdi roles, including Rodolfo, Calaf, Pinkerton, the Duke of Mantua, Don Carlo and Otello - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, showing him as Cavaradossi in Berlin, signed: "a Ector, Giorgio Lamberti" in firm blue biro. £15

Sergei Larin - 1956-2008, Lithuanian tenor; he made his professional debut as Alfredo in La Traviata for the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet in 1981, and then performed for a decade with various Soviet opera companies. In 1991 he made his Covent Garden debut in 1991 as Don José in Carmen, followed by debuts at the Metropolitan Opera and for Paris Opera, both as Cavaradossi - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo signed in silver marker-pen. Condition: slight wear to left edge. £18

above: detail of Winifred Lawson autograph

Winifred Lawson - 1892-1961, British soprano; she sang the title role in Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, and later Phyllis (Iolanthe), Aline (The Sorcerer), Elsie (The Yeomen of the Guard) and Rose Maybud (Ruddigore). She later joined Sadler's Wells Opera Company, where her roles included Mimi (La Boheme), The Countess (Marriage of Figaro) and Fiordiligi (Cosi Fan Tutte) - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Parkslee postcard showing her as Elsie Maynard in The Yeomen of the Guard, signed: "Best wishes, Winifred Lawson". £30 [ref: WL1]

above: detail of Winifred Lawson autograph

Winifred Lawson - 1892-1961, British soprano; she sang the title role in Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, and later Phyllis (Iolanthe), Aline (The Sorcerer), Elsie (The Yeomen of the Guard) and Rose Maybud (Ruddigore). She later joined Sadlers Wells Opera Company, where her roles included Mimi (La Boheme), The Countess (Marriage of Figaro) and Fiordiligi (Cosi Fan Tutte) - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Parkslee postcard showing her as Princess Ida, signed: "Yours sincerely, Winifred Lawson". £30 [ref: WL2]

above: detail of Winifred Lawson autograph

Winifred Lawson - 1892-1961, British soprano; she sang the title role in Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, and later Phyllis (Iolanthe), Aline (The Sorcerer), Elsie (The Yeomen of the Guard) and Rose Maybud (Ruddigore). She later joined Sadlers Wells Opera Company, where her roles included Mimi (La Boheme), The Countess (Marriage of Figaro) and Fiordiligi (Cosi Fan Tutte) - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Parkslee postcard showing her as Casilda in The Gondoliers, signed: "Yrs sincerely, Winifred Lawson". £30 [ref: WL3]

above: detail of Evelyn Lear autograph

Evelyn Lear - 1926-2012, American soprano with a fine technique, and a wide repertoire which included some mezzo-soprano roles: she famously sang all three leading female roles in Der Rosenkavalier, and both Cherubino and the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro. She was initially best known for singing in contemporary operas, and made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1967 as Lavinia in Morning Becomes Elektra. In 1965 she made her Covent Garden debut as Donna Elvira, and at the Met went on to sing heavier roles such as Tosca and Berg's Lulu - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing her as Cherubino, with a message in German. £25 [ref: EL1]

above: detail of Evelyn Lear autograph

Evelyn Lear - 1926-2012, American soprano with a fine technique, and a wide repertoire which included some mezzo-soprano roles: she famously sang all three leading female roles in Der Rosenkavalier, and both Cherubino and the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro. She was initially best known for singing in contemporary operas, and made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1967 as Lavinia in Morning Becomes Elektra. In 1965 she made her Covent Garden debut as Donna Elvira, and at the Met went on to sing heavier roles such as Tosca and Berg's Lulu - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) younger autographed photo, signed in blue biro: "Herzliebst, Evelyn Lear". £30 [ref: EL3]

Sergei Leiferkus - born 1946, Russian baritone - 4.25 x 6 inches (11 x 15 cm) autographed postcard, showing him in a scene from Rachmaninov's The Miserly Knight, Glyndebourne 2004. £15

above: detail of Bertha Lewis autograph

Bertha Lewis - British contralto; she was perhaps the greatest of all the contraltos who sang for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, playing all of the major Gilbert and Sullivan contralto roles including Katisha in The Mikado, Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance, The Duchess of Plaza-Toro in The Gondoliers, Dame Carruthers in The Yeomen of the Guard, Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore, Lady Jane in Patience, and the Fairy Queen in Iolanthe. She also sang major operatic roles, including Delilah and Carmen - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Parkslee postcard, signed: "Yours sincerely, Bertha Lewis". £30

above: detail of Catarina Ligendza autograph

Catarina Ligendza - born 1937, Swedish soprano; she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Leonore in Fidelio in 1971, the same year that she sang Senta at Covent Garden. From 1971 to 1987 she performed Isolde and Brünnhilde at Bayreuth, and her repertoire also included Arabella, Chrysothemis, Agathe, Araidne and Eva - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo, signed in blue marker-pen. £20

above: detail of Luis Lima autograph

Luis Lima - born 1948, Argentinian tenor. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1977 as Alfredo in La Traviata, returning to sing nine more roles. 1977 was also the year that he made his debut at La Scala Milan in Lucia di Lammermoor, and from 1984 he regularly appeared at Covent Garden, making his debut as Nemorino, returning to sing Rodolfo. With a beautiful voice and at his best in lyric roles, he later took on dramatic roles that were perhaps too heavy for him such as Hoffmann, Don Carlo and Riccardo in Un Ballo in Maschera - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £30

Berit Lindholm - born 1934, Swedish soprano. She made her debut with the Swedish National Opera as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro. She was particularly known for singing dramatic soprano roles in Strauss and Wagner operas; she famously sang Isolde at the Bolshoi Theatre, and in 1967 made her Bayreuth debut as Venus in Tannhäuser; in 1975 she made her Covent Garden debot as Brünnhilde. Her other roles included the title roles in Turandot, Salome, Elektra, Tosca, and Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, showing her as Elsa in Lohengrin. condition: several creases on middle right of photo. £20

above: detail of Wilma Lipp autograph

Wilma Lipp - born 1925; Austrian soprano who sang for the Vienna Staatsoper from 1943 onwards. In 1948 her Queen of the Night caused a sensation, and this was the role in which she made her debut at La Scala Milan in 1950. In 1951 she made her Covent Garden debut as Gilda, returning in 1955 for Violetta, and at Glyndebourne she was a noted Konstanze and Nanetta. Her other roles included Adele, Sophie, Pamina, Donna Elvira, Alice Ford and Eva. She recorded her most famous role, the Queen of the Night, in two major recordings under Karl Bohm and Von Karajan - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing her as Michaela in Carmen, signed in firm blue biro. £35

Vera Little - 1929-2012, American contralto who spent nearly all of her career singing with Deutche Oper Berlin; in 1958 she was a notable Carmen, and she famously created contralto roles in two Henze operas: Der Junge Lord and The Bassarids - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £15

above: detail of Pilar Lorengar autograph

Pilar Lorengar - 1928-1996, Spanish soprano. In 1955 she made her Covent Garden debut as Violetta, returning for Donna Anna, Mozart's Countess, Fiordiligi and Alice Ford. In 1956 she sang Pamina at Glyndebourne, and in 1966 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Donna Elvira, returning for Elsa, Eva, Agathe and Cio Cio San. Her large repertoire also included Tatyana, Jenufa, Mimi, Tosca and Manon Lescault - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £35

above: detail of Ermanno Lorenzi autograph

Ermanno Lorenzi - Italian tenor, performing in the late 1950s and the 1960s, who famously sang Pinkerton to Sena Jurinac's Butterfly at the Vienna Staatsoper. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Cassio in Otello in 1967, and went on to make a name for himself singing character roles such as Goro in Madama Butterfly, Pang in Turandot and Beppe in Pagliacci - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, dated 1962. £18

above: detail of Felicity Lott autograph

Felicity Lott - born 1947, British soprano. She first came to the public's attention as Pamina for English National Opera in 1975, making her debut at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 1976 in We Come to the River, followed by Eva, Anne Truelove, Ellen Orford and the Marschallin. At Glyndebourne she has become famous for her Richard Strauss interpretations, particularly Octavian and Arabella, and in 1990 she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as the Marschallin - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, showing her as Louise in Brussele in 1983. £20

above: detail of Christa Ludwig autograph

Christa Ludwig - born 1928, German mezzo-soprano. She made her professional debut, aged 19, in 1946 in Frankfurt as Count Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus. In 1959 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Cherubino, returning to sing 121 performances in eleven different roles. In 1969 she made her Covent Garden debut as Amneris. She went on to sing in all of the world's major opera houses, and her large operatic repertoire included Carmen, Lady Macbeth, the Marschallin, Kundry, Charlotte and Ulrica. She sang the solos in numerous oratorios, and made many recordings - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing her as Amneris, nicely signed in fine blue sharpie. £35 [ref: CL1]

above: detail of Christa Ludwig autograph

Christa Ludwig, born 1928, German mezzo-soprano. She made her professional debut in 1946, aged 19, in Frankfurt as Count Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus. In 1959 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Cherubino, returning there to sing 121 performances in eleven different roles. In 1969 she made her Covent Garden debut as Amneris. She went on to sing in all of the world's major opera houses, and her large operatic repertoire included Carmen, Lady Macbeth, the Marschallin, Kundry, Charlotte and Ulrica. She sang solos in numerous oratorios, and made many recordings - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, showing her singing a role at Vienna Staatsoper (perhaps Charlotte). Condition: very slight crease bottom left corner. £35 [ref: CL2]

above: detail of Henry Lytton autograph

Henry Lytton - 1865-1936, British actor and singer. He was a very famous performer in his time, a principal with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, most noted for playing Gilbert and Sulliavn comic baritone/patter roles, including KoKo in The Mikado, Jack Point in The Yeomen of the Guard, Major General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore, the Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe and the Duke of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard, signed: "Yours sincerely, Henry A Lytton". £30 [ref: HL3]

above: detail of Henry Lytton autograph

Henry Lytton - 1865-1936, British actor/singer; principal baritone with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, most famous for playing Gilbert and Sullivan patter roles including Jack Point in The Yeomen of the Guard, KoKo in The Mikado, Major General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, Bunthorne in Patience and Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.5 x 22 cm) large autographed photo, signed: " 'Happy Days' Yours very sincerely, Henry A Lytton", and: " 'In Friendships Name' (Iolanthe)". Condition: slight crease bottom right corner. £50 (ref: HL4)

[N.B. This item came from the personal collection of the late Brian Jones, the biographer and accepted authority on Henry Lytton, and which was used as an illustration in one of his books.]

above: detail of Henry Lytton autograph

Henry Lytton - 1856-1936, British singer and actor. He was a world-famous baritone with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, most famous for playing the Gilbert and Sullivan comic patter roles, including KoKo in The Mikado, Jack Point in The Yeomen of the Guard, Major General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, the Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe and Sir Joseph Porter in H.M.S. Pinafore - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard showing him in uniform, signed: "Yours faithfully, Henry A Lytton". £30 [ref: HL1]

above: detail of Henry Lytton autograph

Henry Lytton - 1856-1936, British singer and sctor. He was a world-famous baritone with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, noted for playing patter roles in Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas, including Jack Point in The Yeomen of the Guard, Koko in The Mikado, The Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe, Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore and Major-General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance - 5.5 x 7.5 inches (14 x 19 cm) autographed photo, signed: "To"Bill" Heath, 'Happy Days', Yours very sincerely, Henry Lytton". Condition: photo has a patina, as shown on scan, with considerable surface-creasing, and slight tear bottom right. £35 [ref: HL2]

[N.B. Henry Lytton's sister Ruth Lytton appears in Actors Le-Ly]

Next page - Autographs: opera singers M - O

Previous page - Autographs: opera singers F - I

Song Stage and Screen Autographs