Opera autographs S-T

Autographs - opera singers S - T

N.B. Items are not shown to scale with each other, and all 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 Lorenzo Saccomani autograph

Lorenzo Saccomani - Born 1938, Italian baritone. He was particularly known for singing Verdi baritone roles in Italian opera houses including La Scala Milan Rome and Verona. His roles included Renato, Rigoletto, Iago, di Luna, Posa, Simon Boccanegra and Valentin in Gounod's Faust - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing him in Ballo in Maschera at La Scala. £15

Luciano Saldari - 1933-1996, Italian tenor who sang at most of Italy's greatest opera houses, as well as at opera festivals such as Wexford (I Puritani, 1963). His roles included Pinkerton, the Duke of Mantua and Macduff in Verdi's Macbeth, and he was particularly admired as Rinuccio in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi - 6 x 4 inches (11 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £15

above: detail of Kenneth Sandford autograph

Kenneth Sandford - 1924-2004. British baritone, best known for his Gilbert and Sullivan roles with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which he joined in 1957. His roles included The Sergeant of Police (The Pirates of Penzance), Wilfred Shadbolt (The Yeomen of the Guard), Dr. Daly (The Sorcerer), Archibald Grosvenor (Patience), Private Willis (Iolanthe), King Hildebrand (Princess Ida), Don Alhambra (The Gondoliers), Pooh-Bah (The Mikado) and Sir Despard Murgatroyd (Ruddigore). In his retirement he occasionally still sang, and he made a concert appearance at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival at Buxton just months before his death aged 80. - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers, signed: "Sincerely yours, Kenneth Sandford". £30 [ref: KS1]

above: detail of Kenneth Sandford autograph

Kenneth Sandford - 1924-2004. British baritone, best known for his Gilbert and Sullivan roles with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which he joined in 1957. His roles included The Sergeant of Police (The Pirates of Penzance), Wilfred Shadbolt (The Yeomen of the Guard), Dr. Daly (The Sorcerer), Archibald Grosvenor (Patience), Private Willis (Iolanthe), King Hildebrand (Princess Ida), Don Alhambra (The Gondoliers), Pooh-Bah (The Mikado) and Sir Despard Murgatroyd (Ruddigore). In his retirement he occasionally still sang, and he made a concert appearance at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival at Buxton just months before his death aged 80. - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Pooh-Bah in The Mikado, with a dedication, signed: "To May, Sincerely yours, Kenneth Sandford, D'Oyly Carte, 1961". £30 [ref: KS2]

Kenneth Sandford - 1924-2004. British baritone, best known for his Gilbert and Sullivan roles with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, which he joined in 1957, including The Sergeant of Police (The Pirates of Penzance), Wilfred Shadbolt (The Yeomen of the Guard), Dr. Daly (The Sorcerer), Archibald Grosvenor (Patience) and Pooh-Bah (The Mikado) - autograph, in red biro, on 3.5 x 2 inches (8.5 x 5 cm) pale orange card. £12 [ref: KS3]

May Sandoz - born 1936, Swiss coluratura soprano. From the beginning of her career she made a great success of the role of the Queen of the Night from Mozart's Magic Flute, singing it at Glyndebourne in 1978 and the Metropolitan Opera in 1979. She sang in many of the world's major opera houses, and her repertoire included Konstanze, Violetta, Mozart's Countess, Leonore in Il Trovatore, Alice Ford and the Fiakermilli - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £20

Ivan Sardi - born 1930, Hungarian bass; sang for Berlin Opera where his roles included Sparafucile and Padre Guardiano, and in 1956 he sang Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte at Glyndebourne; he was a celebrated performer of the bass solo in Verdi's Requiem - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Leporello in Don Giovanni. £18

Maria Sandra - British soprano, radio star in 1930s - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, with dedication: "To Lorna, very sincerely yours, Maria Sandra". £10

above: detail of Herbert Schachtschneider autograph

Herbert Schachtschneider - 1919-2008, German tenor,whose repertoire included Loge, Hoffmann, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus and Herman in Queen of Spades - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Herzliebst, Herbert Schachtschneider, Köln, 1975". £20

above: detail of Manfred Schenk autograph

Manfred Schenk - 1930-1999, German bass who sang for many years with Frankfurt Opera. His magnificent voice and intimidating stage presence made him a favourite at Bayreuth, where he sang Pogner, Fasolt and Gurnamenz. At the Metropolitan Opera he sang Hunding and Wotan, and he made his British debut in 1977 as Sarastro. He was a notable Hans Sachs and Baron Ochs, and his large repertoire included Italian roles such as the Grand Inquisitor, Ramphis and Padre Guardiano - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Herzlich, Manfred Schenk" in firm red pen. £25

above: detain of Hilde Scheppan autograph

Hilde Scheppan - 1907-1970, German soprano. She started in the chorus of the Berlin Staatsoper, moving to solo roles including Leonora in Il Trovatore, Nedda, Aida and Tosca. She regularly appeared at Bayreuth, and sang opposite Franz Völker in in the premiere of Richard Strauss' Guntram in Berlin - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing her as Tosca at the Staatsoper Berlin, with a greeting in German. Item comes with an envelope, dated 1955, in which the photo originally came, plus some press cuttings. £25

above: detail of Anny Schlemm autograph

Anny Schlemm - born 1929, German soprano, later mezzo-soprano. She began her career singing operetta in Berlin, later singing opera in Cologne and with Frankfurt opera; her roles included Arabella, Zerlina, Cherubino and Manon. She sang in many of the world's major opera houses, including Vienna and Covent Garden, and every year from 1978 to 1985 she sang the role of Mary in Wagner's The Flying Dutchman at Bayreuth. In later years she sang mezzo-soprano roles, including Herodias, Mistress Quickly and the Countess in The Queen of Spades - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 14.5 cm) autographed photo, with message in German, signed in red felt-tip pen, and dated 28.4.68. £15

above: detail of Heinrich Schlusnus autograph

Heinrich Schlusnus - 1888-1952, German baritone whom some regard as the finest of that extraordinary generation of German baritones born in the late 19th century. He made his name singing Verdi roles at the Berlin Staatsoper 1917-45; his roles included Rigoletto, Amfortas, Luna, Montfort, Germont, Germont, Posa and Macbeth. He toured extensively between the wars, performing at Chicago, Amsterdam and Barcelona. He was a magnificent lieder singer, and left numerous opera and lieder recordings - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, showing him as Amfortas, beautifully signed "H Schlusnus" in blue ink. £100 [ref: HS1]

above: detail of Heinrich Schlusnus autograph

Heinrich Schlusnus - 1888-1952, German baritone whom some regard as the finest of that extraordinary generation of great German baritones born in the late 19th century. He made his name singing Verdi roles at the Berlin Staatsoper 1917-45; his roles included Rigoletto, Amfortas, Luna, Monfort, Germont, Posa and Macbeth. He toured extensively between the wars, and performed at Chicago, Amsterdam and Barcelona. He was a magnificent lieder singer, and left numerous opera and lieder recordings - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as di Luna in Il Trovatore. He has written a message in German, dated "11. Mai 1930", and signed it bottom right. £75 [ref: HS2]

above: detail of Erik Schmedes autograph

Erik Schmedes - 1868-1931, Danish tenor. He bagan his career as a baritone, becoming a heldentenor and singing at the Vienna State Opera under Gustav Mahler. From 1899-1906 he sang at Bayreuth, and at the Metropolitan Opera 1908-09. As well as the Wagner roles for which he is most famous, Siegfried, Walter, Lohengrin, Tristan and Parsifal, his repertoire included Otello, Don José, Samson and Cavaradossi. He was regarded as an excellent actor, and appeared in a number of silent movies, now lost. - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Siegfried, nicely signed in blue ink. Condition: this item has been through the post to a Vienna address, and bears a stamp on the reverse. £50

above: detail of Wolfgang Schmidt autograph

Wolfgang Schmidt - German tenor; he sings the major heldentenor roles, and made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1993 as Siegfried; he has recently moved to heavy character roles, and is a noted Tristan, Peter Grimes, Loge and Calaf, and has sung Mime at Bayreuth many times - 4.25 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £15

Karl Schmitt-Walter - 1900-1985, German baritone. He had a voice of great beauty, and had a fine technique; he sang at all of the major German opera houses, where his many roles included Papageno, Guglielmo and Don Giovanni. At Bayreuth he sang Wolfram and Beckmesser, and at Covent Garden sang the Count in Capriccio - autograph on 5.75 x 3.5 inches (14.5 x 9 cm) white card. Included are 8 obituary notices from German newspapers. £18

above: detail of Gabriele Schnaut autograph

Gabriele Schnaut - born 1951, German soprano. Initially a mezzo-soprano, making her debut at Bayreuth in 1977 as Waltraute and Second Norne, returning to sing Venus, Ortrud, Sieglinde and Brünnhilde. In the mid-1980s she started singing dramatic soprano roles making her Metropolitan Opera debut as Brünnhilde in 1996, and singing Elektra, the Dyer's Wife, Jenufa and Tosca in many of the world's major opera houses. She has made many recordings, and her recording of Leonore in Fidelio under Dohnányi is particularly admired - 4.25 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £20

above: detail of Rudolf Schock autograph

Rudolf Schock - 1915-1986, German tenor with a magnificent voice, who made his Covent Garden debut in 1949, as Rodolfo to Schwarzkopf's Mimi, followed by Tamino, Pinkerton and Alfredo at the Salzburg Festival and at the Vienna Opera House. In 1959 he sang Walther at Bayreuth, a role which he recorded, as he did the roles of Lohengrin, Max and Bacchus; he was a popular recitalist, and many regarded him as Tauber's successor - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £40

above: detail of Paul Schöffler autograph

Paul Schöffler - 1897-1977, Austrian Bass-baritone. He joined Dresden Staatsoper in 1925, and sang at Covent Garden in 1934 as Donner and Schwanda, returning over the next few decades as Scarpia, Kurtwenal, Mozart's Figaro, Don Giovanni, Wotan in Das Rheingold and Jochanaan. in 1937 he joined the Vienna Staatsoper, and at Bayreuth sang Hans Sachs and the Dutchman, making his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1949. He was a good actor with a wonderful stage presence, and although his voice was not particularly large, it was well-focussed and used with great intelligence, to good effect. Although now remembered mostly as an opera singer, he was highly regarded as a concert and recital artist - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Paul Schöffler, Figaro". £35

above: detail of Sonja Schöner autograph

Sonja Schöner - born 1929, German soprano. She was a major star of German operetta in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, making many recordings, including Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus. She also sang and recorded German lieder - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. Condition: slight wear to corners. £15

above: detail of Peter Schreier autograph

Peter Schreier - 1935-2019; German tenor, particularly noted for his roles in Mozart operas including Tamino, Belmonte, Idamante, Ferrando and Titus; other notable opera interpretations included Wagner's Loge and Verdi's Fenton. He was a superb oratorio soloist, particularly in Bach and Handel, and later became a major conductor in the same repertoire - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Tamino in Die Zauberflote. £35 [ref: PS1]

above: detail of Peter Schreier autograph

Peter Schreier - 1935-2019; German tenor, particularly noted for his roles in Mozart operas including Tamino, Belmonte, Idamante, Ferrando and Titus; other notable opera interpretations included Wagner's Loge and Verdi's Fenton. He was a superb oratorio soloist, particularly in Bach and Handel, and later became a major conductor in the same repertoire - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £30 [ref: PS2]

above: detail of Peter Schreier autograph

Peter Schreier - 1935-2019; German tenor, particularly noted for his roles in Mozart operas including Tamino, Belmonte, Idamante, Ferrando and Titus; other notable opera interpretations included Wagner's Loge and Verdi's Fenton. He was a superb oratorio soloist, particularly in Bach and Handel, and later became a major conductor in the same repertoire - 3.5 x 5.5inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte. £35 [ref: PS3]

above: detail of Ursula Schröder-Feinen autograph

Ursula Schröder-Feinen - 1936-2005, German soprano. She made her debut as a soloist in the role of Aida, in her home town of Gelsenkirchen in 1961, then from 1968 sang with the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. In 1970 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Chrysothemis in Elektra, returning for a number of other roles most notably Brünnhilde in Siegfried, and Salome. She sang throughout the 1970s at Bayreuth, where her roles included Senta, Brünnhilde, Ortrud and Kundry; she also regularly sang at the Edinburgh and Salzburg Festivals. Her other roles included Tosca, Turandot, Isolde and Jenufa - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. Condition: slight surface- creases. £25

above: detail of Gustav Schwegler autograph

Gustav Schwegler - 1860-1922, German bass. He was a member of the Berlin Court Opera (later the Berlin Staatsoper) where he sang numerous roles including Hunding; he sang King Marke in Tristan and Isolde in Brussels and for Covent Garden Opera - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him in Armide, signed: "Gustav Schwegler, Berlin 26/10/15". Condition: silvering to lower portion of photo. £50

above: detail of Graziella Sciutti autograph

Graziella Sciutti - 1932-2001, Italian soprano; initially singing in Italian and French opera houses and festivals, she made her British debut as Rosina in The Barber of Seville in 1954 at Glyndebourne, and her Covent Garden debut in 1956 as Oscar, returning to sing Nanetta, Susanna and Despina; in 1961 she made her American debut as Susanna in San Francisco - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £25 [ref: GS1]

above: detail of Graziella Sciutti autograph

Graziella Sciutti - 1932-2001, Italian soprano; initially singing in Italian and French opera houses and festivals, she made her British debut as Rosina in The Barber of Seville in 1954 at Glyndebourne, and her Covent Garden debut in 1956 as Oscar, returning to sing Nannetta, Susanna and Despina. In 1956 she made her American debut as Susanna in San Francisco - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £30 [ref: GS2]

above: detail of Graziella Sciutti autograph

Graziella Sciutti - 1932-2001, Italian soprano. Initially singing in Italian and French opera houses and festivals, she made her British debut as Rosina in The Barber of Seville in 1954 at Glyndebourne, and her Covent Garden debut in 1956 as Oscar, returning to sing Nannetta, Susanna and Despina. In 1956 she made her USA debut as Susanna in San Francisco - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing her as Nannetta in Falstaff. £25 [ref: GS2]

Fritz Schrodter - 1855-1924, German tenor, singing in Budapest, Prague and then Vienna, where he was a noted David (Meistersinger), Max (Der Frei1schutz), Don Ottavio and Loge. Later a fine Pinkerton, Canio and Turridu - 3.25 x 5.5 inches (8 x 14 cm) autographed postcard. £55

above: detail of autograph

above: detail of Heinrich Schultz autograph

Heinrich Schultz - German baritone. He sang Beckmesser at Bayreuth 1911 and 1912, and in the 1920s, performances of that role which now have an almost legendary status - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing himas Beckmesser at Bayreuth, dated 1911 . £35

Renata Scotto - born 1934, Italian soprano. She made a major breakthough in 1957 singing in La Sonnambula alongside Maria Callas. She went on to sing leading roles in all of the world's major opera houses. Her roles included Violetta, Adina, Lucia, Tosca, Butterfly, Liu and Mimi - 5 x 6.5 inches (12 x 16 cm) autographed photo showing her as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor. £35 [ref: RS1]

Renata Scotto - born 1934, Italian soprano; performed Violetta, Adina, Lucia, Tosca etc. at La Scala, ROH Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera - autograph on 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm) postcard, with photo cut from opera programme stuck next to it. £15 [ref: RS2]

Irmgard Seefried - 1919-1988, important German soprano who sang with the Vienna State Opera (Eva and Agathe) and seventeen seasons at the Salzburg Festival (Susannah, Fiordiligi, Zerlina, Pamina). She also performed at ROH Covent Garden, La Scala Milan and the Metropolitan Opera New York - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, showing her as Zerlina in Don Giovanni, with inscription in German, dated 1946. Lovely early autograph. £55

above: detail of Assen Selimski autograph

Assen Selimski - 1930-1985, Bulgarian baritone, first with Ruse Opera then with Sofia National Opera. At Glyndebourne he sang Onegin and Yeletsky. He later specialised in the heavy high baritone roles such as Rigoletto, Renato and di Luna - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed postcard, signed by him: "As. Selimski, 4/iv/1970". £30

Luciana Serra - born 1946, Italian soprano, best known for her beautiful voice and her astonishing coloratura; she made her Covent Garden debut as Olympia in 1980, and her Scala debut as Lucia. She is much admired as Violetta, Norina, Lakmé and the Queen of the Night - 7 x 5 inches (17.5 x 12.5 cm) autographed photo. £22 [ref: LS1]

above: detail of Luciana Serra autograph

Luciana Serra - born 1964, Italian soprano, best known for her beautiful voice and her astonishing coloratura; she made her Covent Garden debut as Olympia (Les Contes d'Hoffmann) in 1980, and her La Scala debut as Lakmé and the Queen of the Night - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £18 [ref: LS2]

Constance Shacklock - 1913-1999, English contralto: a fine Brangane alongside Kirsten Flagstad's Isolde, and a wonderful Octavian; also a fine Azucena, Amneris and Queen Elizabeth (Gloriana), she sang regularly at Sadlers Wells, ROH Covent Garden and Vienna State Opera - autograph on 4.5 x 3.5 inches (11.5 x 9 cm) card pasted to slightly larger page from autograph book, signed: "Sincerest wishes, Constance Shacklock". £18

above: detail of Leo Sheffield autograph

Leo Sheffield - 1873-1951, British baritone and actor, best known for his performances of Gilbert and Sullivan roles for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, including Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, both Luiz and Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers, Arac in Princess Ida, both Private Willis and Strephon in Iolanthe, Counsel in Trial By Jury, Pish-Tush in The Mikado, and Shadbolt in The Yeomen of the Guard - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Parkslee postcard showing him as Don Alhambra, signed: "2 B:B:, yours sincerely, Leo Sheffield". Condition: wear to top-right and bottom-right corners. £25 [ref: LS1]

above: detail of Leo Sheffield autograph

Leo Sheffield - 1873-1951, British baritone and actor, best known for his performances of Gilbert and Sullivan roles for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, including Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, both Luiz and Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers, Arac in Princess Ida, both Private Willis and Strephon in Iolanthe, Counsel in Trial By Jury, Pish-Tush in The Mikado, and Shadbolt in The Yeomen of the Guard - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed 'Parkslee' postcard, signed: "Yours sincerely Leo Sheffield". £25 [ref: LS3]

Leo Sheffield - 1873-1951, British baritone and actor, best known for his performances of Gilbert and Sullivan roles for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company (Samuel, Luiz, Arac, Pish-Tush, Private Willis, Strephon, Councel and Shadbolt and others) - autograph on 5.5 x 4.5 inches (15 x 11.5 cm) yellow autograph-book page, signed: "All good wishes, Leo Sheffield, Capt. Hook, Peter Pan /37+8". £12 [ref: LS2]

above: detail of Neil Shicoff autograph

Neil Shicoff - born 1949, American tenor - a fine actor, his most famous roles include Werther and Hoffmann. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1976 as Rinuccio. He has sung at Covent Garden, Vienna Staatsoper, La Scala Milan and most of the major opera houses. His other roles include the Duke of Mantua, Peter Grimes, Lensky, Cavaradossi, Manrico, Pinkerton and Rodolfo - 4 x 6 inches autographed publicity card showing him as Don José in Carmen, signed in gold ink. £20 [ref: NS1]

Neil Shicoff - born 1949, American tenor; a fine actor, his roles include Werther and Hoffmann, particularly at the Metropolitan Opera and ROH Covent Garden - autograph on 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm) round-edged white card, with photo cut from magazine stuck next to it, signed: "Best wishes, Neil Shicoff 10/6/79". £12 [ref: NS2]

above: detail of Andrew Shore autograph

Andrew Shore - born 1952, British baritone. He specialises in buffo roles such as Dulcamara, Don Pasquale, Bottom, Major-General Stanley (The Pirates of Penzance) and Dr. Bartolo (The Barber of Seville). He is also much admired in serious roles such as Falstaff, King Priam and Wozzeck, and he has performed, among others, for Glydebourne, English National Opera, The Royal Opera Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, Opera North and San Diego Opera - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Best wishes, Andrew Shore, in silver marker-pen. £18

above: detail of Amu Shuard autograph

Amy Shuard - 1924-1975, British soprano. She studied singing with Dame Eva Turner, and sang at Sadlers Wells from 1949 to 1953, and then at Covent Garden from 1954 until her death. Her roles included the title-roles in Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Carmen, Turandot, Elektra, Aida, Jenufa and Katya Kabanova. She sang at La Scala Milan, Bayreuth, Vienna and San Francisco. She was starting to become one of the world's leading Wagner sopranos (she was the first British soprano to sing Brünnhilde at Covent Garden) before her early death aged 50. Many regarded her as the finest British soprano since Dame Eva Turner - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Best wishes, Amy Shuard, 1965" in red marker-pen. £30

Right: detail of Gerhard Siegel autograph

Gerhard Siegel - born 1963, German tenor. In 1998 he started singing small roles for Bavarian State Opera, then from 2006 he sang for Nuremburg Opera, where his roles have included Parsifal, Bacchus, Florestan, Tom Rakewell and Alfredo. He has been particularly admired for his Walther in Die Meistersinger. He made his Covent Garden debut in 2004 as Mime, a role with which he also made his Metropolitan Opera debut - 6 x 4 inches (15 x 10 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Herzliebst, Gerhard Siegel". Condition: small dog-ear crease to bottom left corner. £18

Mietta Sighele - Italian soprano married to tenor Veriano Luchetti. She was particularly known for her Puccini roles such as Mimi, Butterfly and Tosca, which she sang at all of Italy's major opera houses including La Scala and Arena di Verona. She made her American debut at Philadelphia in 1967 as Butterfly, but didn't make her Met debut until 1988 as Michaela in Carmen - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15cm) autographed photo. Condition: slight wear to corners and edges. £22

Anja Silja - born 1940, German soprano: from 1960-67 she was a regular at Bayreuth singing Elsa, Elizabeth, Eva Freia and Venus;she made her London debut singing in Fidelio at Sadlers Wells, then Covent Garden in the same role. Her overtly sexual interpretations of Salome and Lulu made her one of the most controversial sopranos of her generation - 4 x 6 inches (11 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £25

above: detail of Beverly Sills autograph

Beverly Sills - 1929-2007, American soprano, particularly known for her coloratura roles. In 1945 she made her professional debut singing roles in Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas; in 1955 she joined New York City Opera, singing leading roles with them for a decade. She gained international fame for her Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare, and made her Vienna Staatoper debut as the Queen of the Night in 1967, and as Lucia at Covent Garden in 1970. She made her Metropolitan Opera Debut in 1975 in Le Siège de Corinthe. She had a wide repertoire and a superb technique. - 4.5 x 6.75 inches (11.5 x 17 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Love, Beverly Sills" £35

above: detail of Giulietta Simionato autograph

Giulietta Simionato - 1910-2010, Italian mezzo-soprano, who became one of the most important Italian singers of her generation. The early years of her career were frustrating, with only small parts in provincial opera houses, but from 1936 she regularly appeared at La Scala Milan, and from 1953 she was a regular performer at Covent Garden where she was very popular. In 1959 she made her debut as Azucena at the Metropolitan Opera House. She had a large repertoire including Charlotte, Rosina in the Barber of Seville, Santuzza and Carmen, although it was in Verdi roles that she was arguably at her best, including Eboli, Amneris, Azucena, Maddalena and Ulrica - 5 x 7 inches (13 x 18 cm) autographed photo, with a superb autograph in blue ink. Condition: creasing along the top inch of photo. £30

above: detail of Bo Skovhus autograph

Bo Skovhus - born 1962, Danish baritone who became famous after singing Don Giovanni at the Vienna Volksoper. He has since sung at many of the world's great opera houses. His repertoire includes Papageno, Danilo in The Merry Widow, both Don Alfonso and Guglielmo in Cosi Fan Tutte, Posa and Kurtwenal. He is a major recitalist, and has recorded lieder as well as many of his opera roles - 5 x 7 inches (13 x 18 cm) autographed photo. £20 [ref: BS1]

above: detail of Bo Skovhus autograph

Bo Skovhus - born 1962, Danish baritone who became famous after singing Don Giovanni at the Vienna Volsoper. He has since sung at many of the world's major opera houses, where his repertoire includes Danilo in The Merry Widow, Papageno, both Don Alfonso and Guglielmo in Cosi Fan Tutte, Posa in Don Carlos and Kurtwenal in Tristan und Isolde. He is a major recitalist, and has recorded many of his opera roles - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £20 [ref: BS2]

above: detail of Leo Slezak autograph

Leo Slezak - 1873-1946, Austrian-Czech tenor (born in Moravia), a hugely famous singer in his day, both in London and in New York, where he was the finest Otello of his time, and a noted Manrico and Radames. In Vienna he was Mahler's favourite tenor, and excelled in Wagner roles, especially Lohengrin, Walther and Tannhauser. A larger-than-life personality, he was famous for his sense of humour - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard, signed in black ink and dated 6.11.16. [reverse has postage-stamp from a later era]. £110 [ref: LS1]

Leo Slezak - 1873-1946, Austrian-Czech tenor (born in Moravia), a hugely famous singer in his day, both in London and in New York, where he was the finest Otello of his time, and a noted Manrico and Radames. In Vienna he was Mahler's favourite tenor, and excelled in Wagner roles, especially Lohengrin, Walther and Tannhauser. A larger-than-life personality, he was famous for his sense of humour - autograph on 4.5 x 3.5 inches (11.5 x 9 cm) white card, with dedication in German, and dated "Wien, 24.6.07". Photo of Slezac, snipped from newspaper, has been stuck to reverse. £35 [ref: LS2]

above: detail of Margarete Slezak autograph

Margarete Slezak - 1901-1953, Austrian opera and operetta singer, also stage and screen actress, daughter of tenor Leo Slezak. Her films included Konig fur eine Nacht and The Csardas Princess. From 1933-43 she sang at the Stadischen Operhause in Berlin-Charlottesburg - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Herzlicht, Margarete Slezak, and marked: "Wien, 10.2.1933" on the reverse. £40

above: detail of Doris Soffel autograph

Doris Soffel - born 1948, German mezzo-soprano. She began her professional career with Stuttgart Opera, making a sensational Covent Garden debut as Sesto in La Clemenza di Tito in 1982. In the UK she is probably best remembered for her televised Prince Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus at the ROH, conducted by Placido Domingo. As a coloratura mezzo, she was at her best in Bellini, Rossini and Donizetti, although she also sang Wagner, including Fricka at Bayreuth in 1983. Her repertoire also includes Kundry, Ortrud, Eboli and Amneris, and in recitals she is particularly well known for singing Mahler - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo, showing her in Hindemith's Cardillac. £18

Christiana Sorrell - born 1933, Austrian soprano; she spent much of her career with the Vienna Volksoper, where she was a much-loved Rusalka and Buttefly; she also sang at the Vienna Staatsoper, Stuttgart, Munich and Frankfurt. Her opera roles, some of which she recorded, included Elsa in Lohengrin and Marianna in Wagner's Das Liebesverbot, and she sang soprano solos in many choral works including Bach cantatas and symphonies of Beethoven and Mahler - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £20

above: detail of Hans Sotin autograph

Hans Sotin - born 1939, German bass. He started his career singing small parts with Hamburg Staatsoper, and was soon singing nearly all of the leading bass roles there. In 1970 he made his Glyndebourne debut as Sarastro, the role with which he also made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1972. His Covent Garden debut was in 1974 as Hunding, and he was a sensational Baron Ochs in his debut at La Scala in 1976, a role which he has sung throughout the world. He is also a notable Rocco, King Mark, Pogner, Alfonso and Gurnamanz, all roles which he has recorded - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed signed photo showing him as Wotan. £20 [HS1]

above: detail of Hans Sotin autograph

Hans Sotin - born 1939, German bass. He started his career singing small parts with Hamburg Staatsoper, and was soon singing nearly all of the bass roles there. In 1970 he made his Glyndebourne debut as Sarastro, the role with which he also made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1972. His Covent Garden debut was in 1974 as Hunding, and he was a sensational Baron Ochs in his debut at La Scala Milan in 1976, a role which he has sung throughout the world. He is also a notable Rocco, King Mark, Pogner, Alfonso and Gurnamanz, all roles which he has recorded - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, signed by him in fine black marker-pen. £20 [ref: HS2]

above: detail of Gerard Souzay autograph

Gerard Souzay - 1918-2004, French baritone; he was particularly admired in Mozart roles, frequently singing the title role in Don Giovanni, and making his Metropolitan Opera and Glyndebourne debuts in 1965 as the Count in Le Nozze diFigaro. Some consider him the finest Golaud of all, and his French song and German lieder was hugely admired, making him the most eminent non-German recitalist of his time - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £60

Olivia Stapp - born 1940, American mezzo-soprano, later soprano, who made a name for herself singing with San Francisco Opera where her roles included Santuzza, Tosca, Minnie, Turandot and Donna Anna. She was a huge hit as Lady Macbeth at the Metropolitan Opera in 1982 - 4.75 x 7 inches (12 x 17.5 cm) autographed photo showing her as Medea. £18

Giuseppe di Stefano - 1921-2008; Italian tenor with voice of great beauty, who made many recordings in the 1950s with Maria Callas, touring with her in 1974 when they were both past their prime - autograph on 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm) white postcard, inscribed in blue biro "To Derek Birch, Giuseppe di Stefano 1981". £20

above: detail of Giuseppe di Stefano autograph

Giuseppe di Stefano - 1921-2008; Italian tenor with a voice of great beauty. He made his debut at La Scala as Massenet's Des Grieux in 1947, and his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duke in Rigoletto in 1948, and continued to appear there until 1955. He first appeared in Britain in 1957 as Nemorino at the Edinburgh Festival, and sang Cavaradossi at Covent Garden in 1961, although by this time heavier roles, such as Canio and Radames, were taking a toll on his voice. He made many recordings with Maria Callas, most famously Tosca, and he toured with her in 1974 when they were both past their prime - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing him as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana at La Scala Milan. £75

Hanny Steffek - 1927-2010, Austrian soprano whose career at the Vienna Staatsoper was disrupted by WW2. She was particularly admired in the Strauss roles of Sophie, (Der Rosenkavalier), Christina (Intermezzo) and Despina - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Herzliebst! Hanny Steffek". £20

Thomas Stewart - 1928-2006, American baritone with a wide repertoire, but particularly noted for Wagner roles; he rose to fame singing Escamillo in Berlin in 1958, singing the same role in his Covent Garden debut in 1960 and returning there for Gunther, Don Giovanni and the Dutchman. From 1960 to 1975 he regularly appeared at Bayreuth singing Donner, Gunther and Amfortas, and in 1966 he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Ford, returning regularly as Iago, Golaud, Wotan and Hans Sachs - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing him as Gunther at Bayreuth. £25 [ref: TS1]

above: detail of Thomas Stewart autograph

Thomas Stewart - 1928-2006, American baritone with a wide repertoire, but particularly noted for Wagner roles; he rose to fame singing Escamillo in Berlin in 1958, singing the same role in his Covent Garden debut in 1960 and returning there for Gunther, Don Giovanni and the Dutchman. From 1960 to 1975 he regularly appeared at Bayreuth singing Donner, Gunther and Amfortas, and in 1966 he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Ford, returning regularly as Iago, Golaud, Wotan and Hans Sachs - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo 1958 on reverse. Excellent scarcer early autograph. £35 [ref: TS2]

above: detail of John Stoddart autograph

John Stoddart - 1937, 2001, British tenor who sang for Sadlers Wells Opera in 1958, playing Jaques IV in Arthur Benjamin's opera A Tale of Two Cities. In 1959 he joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company as a replacement for Leonard Osborn, appearing in Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas as the Defendant in Trial By Jury, Fairfax in The Yeomen of the Guard, Tolloller in Iolanthe, the Duke of Dunstable in Patience and Dick Dauntless in Ruddigore. In 1960 he returned to Sadlers Wells where his roles included Tolloller in 1962. In the early 1960s he also performed with Scottish Opera, appearing as Incroyable in Andrea Chenier and Almaviva in The Barber of Seville - autograph in black biro on 3.5 x 1.75 inches (8.5 x 4 cm) small cream coloured card, mounted on a white postcard, together with a photo snipped from an opera programme or magazine. £12

[N.B. He should not be confused with a completely different John Stoddart, a set designer, who worked for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and Sadlers Wells in the late 1960s.]

Rita Streich - 1920-1987, German soprano, especially famous for coluratura roles. She sang for Berlin Opera from 1947 to 1951 where her roles included Zerlina, Gilda, Sophie and Olympia. She soon became a famous Queen of the Night and Constanza, and made her American debut with San Francisco Opera in 1956 as Sophie, and her Glyndebourne debut in 1957 as Zerbinetta. Her superb technique and artistry made her perfect for recordings of which she made many; she was Zerbinetta on Karajan's recording of Ariadne auf Naxos - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15cm) autographed photo, signed: "Herzliebst, Rita Streich" in green ink, darker and clearer than is shown on scan. £30

above: detail of Wilhelm Strienz autograph

Wilhelm Strienz - 1900-1987, German bass, who sang for Berlin State Opera in the mid 1930s, and then at Covent Garden until the war. He is best remembered for singing Sarastro in Thomas Beecham's famous recording of The Magic Flute in 1938. He was a popular singer on German radio during the war, one of just a few singers completely exempted from military service. After the war his career took a while to recover, but he eventually received a recording contract from Decca, and continued singing until his retirement in 1963. He had a stunning voice of the highest quality, which he used with great intelligence - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed in blue ink. £25

Cheryl Studer - born 1955, American soprano, has sung numerous roles at the Metropolitan Opera New York, including the Merry Widow, Gilda, Arabella, Norma, and is a major recording artist. Her debut at ROH Covent Garden was as Elizabeth, and she is a regular at Bayreuth (Eva, Senta and Sieglinde) - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed publicity photo. £20

above: detail of Jonathan Summers autograph

Jonathan Summers - born 1946, Australian baritone with a wide repertoire. For the Royal Opera at Covent Garden he sang Ford, Sharpless, Demetrius, Marcello and Papageno. For English National Opera he sang dozens of roles including Rigoletto, di Luna, Don Carlos (The Force of Destiny), Posa and Macbeth. He also frequently performed for Opera Austraia and Houston Opera - 3.5 x 4.75 inches (9 x 12 cm) autographed photo showing him as Marcello in La Boheme, and marked "ROH 1979" on the reverse. £12 [ref:JS1]

Jonathan Summers - born 1946, Australian baritone with a wide repertoire (Papageno, Rigoletto, Macbeth, Posa, Marcello), a regular at ROH Covent Garden, English National Opera, Opera Australia and Houston Opera - autograph on 3.5 x 6 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed Covent Garden 1985. £10 [ref: JS2]

above: detail of Jonathan Summers autograph

Jonathan Summers - born 1946, Australian baritone with a wide repertoire. For the Royal Opera Covent Garden his roles included Ford, Sharpless, Marcello, Demetrius and Papageno. His many roles for English National Opera included Macbeth, Posa, Rigoletto, Don Carlos (The Force of Destiny) and Scarpia. He also regularly sang for Opera Australia and Houston Opera - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £18 [ref: JS5]

above: detail of Jonathan Summers autograph

Jonathan Summers - born 1946, Australian baritone with a wide repertoire. For the Royal Opera Covent Garden is roles included Ford, Sharpless, Papageno, Demetrius and Marcello. For English National Opera he sang numerous roles including Rigoletto, di Luna, Scarpia, Posa. He also regularly performed for Opera Australia and Houston Opera - 5 x 3.5 inches (12.5 x 9 cm) autographed card showing him as Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro. £15 [ref: JS3]

above: detail of Thomas Sunnegårdh autograph

Thomas Sunnegårdh - born 1949, Swedish tenor. He regularly sang for the Swedish Royal Opera, and in many of the major European opera houses including Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and Paris. His many roles included Tamino, Don Ottavio, Tristan, Erik in The Flying Dutchman, Tannhauser, Lohengrin and Gustavus in Un Ballo in Maschera - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £20

above: detail of Joan Sutherland autograph

Joan Sutherland - 1926-2010, Australian soprano. A legendary singer: one of the greatest sopranos of all time, who was responsible for the revival in the Bel Canto operas of Bellini and Donizetti, amonst others. In 1952 she made her Covent Garden debut as Ameilia in Un Ballo In Maschera; in 1954 she married conductor Richard Bonynge who convinced her to adopt dramatic coloratura roles. In 1961 she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor, and she went on to sing Donizetti, Bellini and Verdi roles in all of the world's major opera houses. She recorded nearly all of her roles - 5 x 7.5 inches (13 x 19 cm) autographed photo showing her in costume, nicely signed in blue marker pen. £45

above: detail of Set Svanholm autograph

Set Svanholm - 1904-1964, Swedish tenor with a large repertoire, but best known for Wagner roles, including Siegmund, Loge, Siegfried, Tristan and Parsifal. He regularly sang at ROH Covent Garden as Lohengrin and Siegfried, and he played Peter Grimes in the Swedish premiere of Britten's opera - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed in blue biro: "Set Svanholm Salzburg 1928 - Wien 1952" . Condition: marks on reverse where item has glued into album. £35 [ref: SS1]

above: detail of Set Svanholm autograph

Set Svanholm - 1904-1964, Swedish tenor with a wide repertoire, but best known for Wagner roles, including Siegmund,Loge, Siegfried, Parsifal and Tristan. He regularly sang at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden as Lohengrin and Siegfried, and he played Peter Grimes in the Swedish premiere of Brittens opera - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Herod in Salome, signed in black ink. £50 [ref: SS2]

above: detail of Laszlo Szemere autograph

Laszlo Szemere - 1906-1963, Hungarian tenor. He was a favourite singer of Richard Strauss, who invited him to sing Pollux in the first public performance of Die Liebe der Danae, and who was Herod in the first recording of Salome in 1954 - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £35

above: Detail of Giuseppe Taddei autograph

Giuseppe Taddei - 1916-2010; Italian baritone who had an exraordinarily long career. He made his professional debut in 1936, and was still singing in his 90s. He had a large repertoire, but was best known as Rigoletto, Falstaff, Gerard and Scarpia - 3.25 x 5.25 inches (8.25 x 13.5 cm) autographed photo showing him in costume, signed in green fountain-pen: "Cordimente, Giuseppe Taddei". A really excellent young autograph. £45 [ref: GT1]

above: detail of Giuseppe Taddei autograph

Giuseppe Taddei - 1916-2010; Italian baritone with an extraordinarily long career. He started in 1936, and was still singing in his 90s. He had a large repertoire, but was best known as Rigoletto, Scarpia. Falstaff and Gerard - 3.5 x 5.25 inches (9 x 13 cm) autographed photo, nicely signed by him in black fountain pen: "A Melita Hertzlinger, Giuseppe Taddei". £40 [ref: GT2]

above: detail of Giuseppe Taddei autograph

Giuseppe Taddei - 1916-2010; Italian baritone with an extraordinarily long career. He made his operatic debut in 1936, and was still singing in his 90s. He had a large repertoire, but was best known for his portrayals of Rigoletto, Scarpia and Falstaff - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Giuseppe Taddei, Vien - 23-4-1947". £50 [ref: GT3]

above:detail of Martii Talvela autograph

Martti Talvela - 1935-1989, Finnish bass, perhaps the outstanding Finnish singer in the postwar period, he made his debut with Swedish National Opera in 1961 as Sparafucile. At The Metropolitan Opera he was a sensational Boris Godunov, and his Gurnemanz at Covent Garden in 1973 was widely acclaimed. His voice was vast and majestic, and his big stature and stage presence made his a remarkable Sarastro, Grand Inquisitor and King Mark. He performed and recorded much Finnish song, and for many years he was international first choice as the bass soloist in Verdi's Requiem - 5 x 7 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing him as Osmin, firmly signed in blue biro. £25

above: detail of Robert Tear autograph

Robert Tear - 1939-2011 British (Welsh) tenor. He rose to fame singing Bejamin Britten roles including the Male Chorus in The Rape of Lucretia, Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw, Captain Vere in Billy Budd and the vast leading role in Death in Venice. For many years he performed at Covent Garden, singing character roles, mostly in British, Russian and German operas including Lensky in Eugene Onegin. It was generally acknowledged that his conpact voice lacked the lushness needed for spinto roles in Italian opera, although he regularly performed the role of The Emperor in Turandot. After his performing career was over he taught singing at the Royal Academy of Music - 3.25 x 4.5 inches (8.25 x 11.5 cm) autographed photo. £18

above: detail of Renata Tebaldi autograph

Renata Tebaldi - 1922-2004, Italian soprano, widely regarded as possessing one of the finest voices of the 20th century. She first sang at La Scala in the famous 1946-47 season after the theatre's post-war rebuilding; her roles there included Mimi, Eva, Tosca, Desdemona, Maddalena (Andrea Chenier) and Adriana Lecouvreur. She made her Covent Garden debut in 1950 as Desdemona, returning in 1955 as Tosca, and from 1955 sang most seasons at the Metropolitan Opera until the mid 1970s. She recorded many of her roles, her Mimi, Aida and Leonora in La Forza del Destino were especially admired - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14cm) autographed Decca card, signed: "Renata Tebaldi, Wien 1955". £80 [ref: RT1]

Renata Tebaldi - 1922-2004, Italian soprano. She is widely regarded as possessing one of the finest voices of the 20th century. She first sang at La Scala Milan in the famous 1946-47 season after the theatre's post-war rebuilding, where her roles included Mimi, Tosca, Desdemona, Maddalena (Andrea Chenier) and Adriana Lecouvreur. She made her Covent Garden debut in 1950 as Desdemona, returning in 1955 as Tosca. From 1995 until the mid 1970s she sang almost every season at the Metropolitan Opera. She recorded many of her roles; her Mimim, Aida and Leonora in La Forza del Destino were particularly admired - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing her as Aida at La Scala Milan in 1959. The excellent autograph in black marker-pen is dated 1984. £60 [ref: RT3]

Renata Tebaldi - 1922-2004, Italian soprano. She is widely regarded as possessing one of the finest voices of the 20th century. She first sang at La Scala Milan, where her roles included Alice Ford, Mimi, Tosca, Desdemona and Adriana Lecouvreur. She sang at all of the world's major opera houses, and made her Covent Garden debut in 1950 as Desdemona, returning in 1955 as Tosca. From 1955 until the mid 1970s she regularly sang at the Metropolitan Opera New York. She made a huge number of recordings, her Mimi, Tosca and Aida were particularly admired - 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.5 cm) autographed photo showing her in costume. Nicely signed in black marker-pen. £75 [ref: RT2]

above: detail of autograph

Bryn Terfel - born 1965, British (Welsh) bass-baritone, with vast repertoire including German, Welsh and English song, and opera roles from Handel to Wagner. He made his professional debut as Guglielmo for Welsh National Opera in 1990, followed in 1992 by a much-admired Figaro for English National Opera; in 1993 he made his Covent Garden debut as Masetto, and within the next few years had sung the role of Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna Opera House and La Scala Milan - 5 x 7 inches (13 x 18 cm) autographed photo, signed in gold ink, showing him in the title role in Verdi's Falstaff in Chicago in 1999. £22 [ref: BT1]

Jess Thomas - 1927-1993, American tenor, particularly known for singing the title roles in Wagner's Lohengrin, Parsifal, Tannhauser and Walther in Die Meistersinger; sang for 15 seasons at the Metropolitan Opera, and regularly at Bayreuth - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Radames in Aida. £30 [ref: JT1]

above: detail of Jess Thomas autograph

Jess Thomas - 1927-1993, American tenor, particularly known for singing the title roles in Wagner's Lohengrin, Parsifal, Tannhauser and Walther in Die Meistersinger; sang for 15 seasons at the Metropolitan Opera, and regularly at Bayreuth - 4 x 7.5 inches (10.5 x 19 cm) autographed record company photo, nicely signed in thin blue marker-pen. £25 [ref: JT2]

John Charles Thomas - 1891-1960, American baritone who made his Covent Garden debut in 1928 as Valentin, also singing Amonasro. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut, singing with them for 11 seasons, and his roles there included Rossini's Figaro, Germont, Athanael and Scarpia. His repertoire also included Falstaff, Tonio, Hamlet, Rigolletto and Escamillo - 8.25 x 10 inches (21 x 25.5 cm) large autographed photo, signed: "Best wishes, John Charles Thomas" in blue ink. £60

above: detail of Eric Thornton autograph

Eric Thornton - born 1920, British baritone. He joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in 1950, playing Bouncer in Cox and Box, the Judge in Trial by Jury, Mountararat in Iolanthe, Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore, Luiz in The Gondoliers, Sir Roderic in Ruddigore and The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance. After 1952 he moved to Australia, where he sang in touring productions of G&S productions, finally retiring there in old age, and in his 80s was still making guest appearances in amateur productions. He is perhaps best remembered for singing the Earl of Mountararat in the D'Oyly Carte's famous 1951 recording of Iolanthe - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Best wishes!! Eric Thornton". £22

above: detail of Lawrence Tibbett autograph

Lawrence Tibbett - 1896-1960, American baritone. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in Lewicki in Boris Godunov in 1923, but gained proper recognition singing Ford to Antonio Scotti's Falsteff in 1925. He stayed with the company for 27 seasons, eventually singing most of the Verdi baritone roles including Rigoletto, Iago and Boccanegra. He was a fine actor and an intelligent singer, and he created a number of roles, including the title role Eugene Goossens' Don Juan de Manara at Covent Garden in 1937; in his later years he appeared on Broadway and appeared in many radio broadcasts of light opera - 7 x 9.5 inches (17.5 x 23.5 cm) large autographed photo, signed: "To Barbara Butler from Lawrence Tibbett, 1938". Condition: two small fragments of paper stuck to reverse, where item was once mounted. £120

above: detail of Thomas Tipton autograph

Thomas Tipton - 1926-2007, American baritone with a large repertoire. He is best remembered for his Verdi roles with New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera and Covent Garden, including Rigoletto, Nabucco and Macbeth. He frequently performed in Germany including singing Wolfram at Bayreuth - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, with a really good autograph in firm blue biro. Condition: slight wear to corners. £40

Stephania Toczyska - born 1943, Polish mezzo-soprano, a noted Carmen, Amneris, Azucena and Ulrica at the Metropolitan Opera, ROH Covent Garden, Vienna and San Francisco - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book. £10

John Tomlinson - born 1946, British bass; made his stage debut as Colline for Glyndebourne Touring Opera in 1972. Joined English National Opera in 1975 singing many roles including Duke Bluebeard, Fasolt, Gounod's Mephistopheles, Pogner, Colline, Sparafucile, Fiesco, Padre Guardiano and Baron Ochs. At ROH Covent Garden he has sung Colline, Figaro, Leporello, The Commendatore, Don Basilio, Timur and Harrison Birtwhistle's Green Knight. At Bayreuth and all the major German opera houses he has sung Wotan. Other roles that he has sung around the world include Boris Godunov, Hans Sachs, Don Alfonso and Claggart - 5 x 7 inches (13 x 18 cm) autographed photo, signed: "With my best wishes - John Tomlinson" in silver ink. £25

Anna Tomowa-Sintow - born 1941, Bulgarian soprano. She made her professional debut in 1967 as Abigaille in Nabucco for Leipzig Opera, subsequently singing the title roles in Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Tosca and La Traviata. Joining the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin in 1975, she added Leonora in Il Trovatore, Desdemona, Madelaine in Andrea Chenier and the Marschellin to her repertoire. She made her Covent Garden debut in 1975 and her Metroplolitan Opera debut in 1976, both as Donna Anna; and in 1982, her La Scala debut as Elsa in Lohengrin. She was one of Herbert von Karajan's favourite singers, and recorded a number of roles with him, most notably the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier - 5 x 7 inches (13 x 17.5 cm) autographed photo showing her as Madama Butterfly, signature in gold pen, clearer than appears on scan. £25 [ref: AT1]

Anna Tomowa-Sintow - born 1941, Bulgarian soprano. She made her professional debut in 1967 as Abigaille in Nabucco for Leipzig Opera, subsequently singing the title roles in Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Tosca and La Traviata. Joining the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin in 1975, she added Leonora in Il Trovatore, Desdemona, the Marschellin, and Madelaine in Andrea Chenier to her repertoire. She made her Covent Garden debut in 1975, and her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1976, both as Donna Anna, and in 1982, her La Scala debut as Elsa in Lohengrin. She was a favourite singer of Herbert von Karajan, and made a number of recordings for him, including perhaps her finest role, the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier - 4 x 5.75 inches (10 x 14.5 cm) autographed photo. £20 [ref: AT2]

Anna Tomowa-Sintow - born 1941, Bulgarian soprano. She made her professional debut in 1967 with Leipzig Opera as Abigaille in Nabucco, and was soon a world renowned Butterfly, Desdemona and Marschallin. She made her Covent Garden debut in 1975 and her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1976, both as Donna Anna, and her La Scala debut in 1982 as Elsa in Lohengrin - 6 x 4 inches (15 x 10 cm) autographed photo, showing her as Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera. £20 [ref: AT3]

Jennifer Toye - British soprano, who sang with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company from 1954 to 1965. Her roles in Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas included Casilda, Yum-Yum, Plaintiff, Mabel, Elsie Maynard and Josephine - autograph in red biro on 3.25 x 2 inches (8.5 x 5 cm) pink card. £10

Natalia Troitskaya - 1950-2006, Russian soprano, a superb Aida, Tatyana and Tosca - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed: "Tosca, Natalia Troitskaya, 9.05.86". £12

above: detail of Gabriella Tucci autograph

Gabriella Tucci - born 1929, Italian soprano. She made her professional debut at Spoletta in 1951, playing Leonora in La Forza del Destino opposite Beniamino Gigli. In 1959 she made her La Scala debut as Mimi, and in 1960 she made debuts at Covent Garden as Aida, and the Metropolitan Opera as Madam Butterfly. She was an excellent actress, and had a wide repertoire including Gilda, Tosca, Donna Elvira, Violetta, Maddalena in Andrea Chenier, and Marguerite in Faust. Although a superb singer live (and there are numerous recordings of her live on stage) she only made two studio recordings: Nedda in Pagliacci opposite Mario del Monaco, and Il Trovatore opposite Franco Corelli - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing her as Tosca, clearly signed in red marker pen. £40

above: detail of Richard Tucker autograph

Richard Tucker - 1913-1975, American tenor. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1945 as Enzo in La Gioconda, and went on to sing more than 600 performances there of more than 30 roles, finishing with Canio just a few weeks before his untimely death from a heart attack. He made his European debut in 1947 at Verona, again singing Enzo, and went on to sing at Covent Garden, La Scala Milan and the Vienna Staatsoper. His robust Italianate singing was not always subtle, but he was said to have been Toscanini's favourite Radames - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed record company card. Condition: Two small sellotape marks on the reverse at the top, where the item was mounted in the past. £60 [ref: RT1]

above: detail of Richard Tucker autograph

Richard Tucker - 1913-1975, American tenor. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1945 as Enzo in La Gioconda, and went on to sing over 300 performances there in more than 30 roles, finishing with Canio just a few weeks before his untimely death from a sudden heart attack. He made his European debut at Verona in 1947, and went on to sing at La Scala Milan and Covent Garden. His robust Italianate singing was not always subtle, but he was said to have been Toscanini's favourite Radames - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him in costume, signed: "Sincerely, Richard Tucker". £75 [ref: TR2]

Eva Turner - 1892-1990, British dramatic soprano with an extraordinarily powerful voice; joined Carl Rosa Opera Company in 1916, singing Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Aida, then from 1924 sang at La Scala Milan and Covent Garden. Many consider her the finest Turandot of all time - 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5 x 21.5 cm) autographed photo, signed: "To Kenneth Dyer, best wishes, Eva Turner (Turandot)". Condition: slight surface creasing to all corners. Autographed photo comes together with her 1970 (A4 size) passport application form, filled in by her and containing fascinating personal details and her autograph (see below). Both items together: £75 [ref: ET1]

Right: detail of autograph from Eva Turner's 1970 completed (A4 gatefold size) passport application form, which is included with above (ET1) autographed photo of her.

Eva Turner - 1892-1990, British dramatic soprano with an extraordinarily powerful voice; joined Carl Rosa Opera Company in 1916, singing Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Aida, then from 1924 sang at La Scala Milan and Covent Garden. Many consider her the finest Turandot of all time - message and autograph on 3.5 x 2.75 inches (9 x 7 cm) card, with dedication: "To Terence Parker, every good wish, kindest thoughts Eva Turner". £20

above: detail of Piroska Tutsek autograph

Piroska Tutsek - 1905-1979, Hungarian mezzo-soprano. She sang with Budapest State Opera before WW2, then after 1945 at the Vienna Staatsoper and La Scala Milan; her roles included Carmen, Amneris, Eboli, Fricka and Ortrud - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing her as Gluck's Orfeo. £40 [ref: PT1]

above: detail of Piroska Tutsek autograph

Piroska Tutsek - 1905-1979, Hungarian mezzo-soprano. She sang with Budapest State Opera before WW2, then after 1945 with the Vienna Staatsoper and La Scala Milan; her roles included Carmen, Amneris, Eboli, Fricka and Ortrud - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £40 [ref: PT2]

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