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G&S autographs

Autographs: opera singers  B

 

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

All prices are in GB Pounds

 

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

   

 

Carlo Badioli - born 1916, Italian bass-baritone, famous for singing and recording buffo roles; his repertoire included Sancho in Don Qichotte, Benoit/Alcindoro in La Boheme, the title role in Don Pasquale and the Sacristan in Tosca - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing him as Don Pasquale, signed "Carlo Badioli, Vienna 1956". £35  

 

     

 

above: autograph detail

   

 

 

    

  

 

  

 

above: detail of Norman Bailey autograph

 

 

 

 

 

 


below: reverse of item with

excellent further autograph

Norman Bailey - born 1933, British bass-baritone, who was brought up and trained in South Africa, and in the early 1960s sang in small German opera houses where his roles included Rigoletto, Luna, Boccanegra, Renato and Nabucco. Joined Sadlers Wells Opera in 1967, and sang with the company (later English National Opera) for over 25 years in a huge number of roles - his Hans Sachs and Sharpless were particularly highly regarded. At ROH Covent Garden he frequently sang Germont, and most of the Wagner Heldenbariton roles, and at the Metropolitan Opera he was a much-admired Sachs (the role in which he made his debut in 1976) and Wotan. At Bayreuth he sang Gunther, Amfortas and Sachs. Now retired, he lives in Florida - 3.25 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 13.5 cm) autographed photo showing him as Hans Sachs, signed: "Kindest regards from Norman Bailey", and on the reverse is a second autograph. £40  [ref: NB1] 

 

   

  

  

  

  

 

Norman Bailey - born 1933, British bass-baritone, who was brought up and trained in South Africa, and in the early 1960s sang in small German opera houses where his roles included Rigoletto, Luna, Boccanegra, Renato and Nabucco. Joined Sadlers Wells Opera in 1967, and sang with the company (later English National Opera) for over 25 years in a huge number of roles - his Hans Sachs and Sharpless were particularly highly regarded. At ROH Covent Garden he frequently sang Germont, and most of the Wagner Heldenbariton roles, and at the Metropolitan Opera he was a much-admired Sachs (the role in which he made his debut in 1976) and Wotan. At Bayreuth he sang Gunther, Amfortas and Sachs. Now retired, he lives in Florida - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Nabucco, nicely signed in firm blue-black biro. £40   [ref: NB2]      

 

  

  

 

  

        

Ruza Baldani - born 1942, Croatian mezzo-soprano, singing at most major opera houses, particularly Vienna State Opera (Brangane, Ulrica) - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo from Salzburg 1972. £20      

   

  

   

 

  

   

Agnes Baltsa - born 1944, Greek mezzo-soprano. She made her professional debut as Cherubino for Frankfurt Opera in 1968, and in 1969 sang Octavian for the Vienna Staatsoper, and made her Scala debut in 1974 as Dorabella. In 1976 she was Cherubino at Covent Garden, and her Metropolitan Opera debut was in 1979 as Octavian, returning for Carmen which has become her most famous role. She is a fine actress, and her repertoire includes Delilah, Eboli, Adalgisa, Azucena, Dido, Charlotte, Rosina, Cenerentola, the Composer (Ariadne auf Naxos) and Giulietta (Les Contes d'Hoffmann) - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, nicely signed in blue marker-pen. £30
      

   

   

   

  

  

    

Rose Bampton - 1908-2007, American soprano who started as a contralto, making her debut at the Metropolitan Opera New York in 1932; a notable Leonora (Il Trovatore), Donna Anna and Alceste, later moving to Wagner roles - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 14 cm) autographed photo, with dedication in Italian, dated 1948. £30
  

    

 

above: detail of Rose Bampton autograph

   

   

 

  

    

             

Rutland Barrington - 1853-1922, British singer and actor, best remembered for creating many baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy Operas, including Captain Corcoran (HMS Pinafore), Pooh-Bah (The Mikado), Dr Daly (The Sorcerer), Sir Despard Murgatroyd (Ruddigore) and Giuseppe (The Gondoliers). Later a star of musical comedy and music hall - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard, postally-used in 1908 (addressed in R. B.'s handwriting), signed: "with pleasure, Rutland Barrington". Condition: slight wear to corners, particularly bottom-right. £40   [ref: RB1]
    

     

 

autograph detail

   

    

 

  

    

 

Rutland Barrington - 1853-1922, British singer and actor, best remembered for creating many baritone roles in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas, including Captain Corcoran (HMS Pinafore), Pooh-Bah (The Mikado), Dr Daly (The Sorcerer), Sir Despard Murgatroyd (Ruddigore) and Giuseppe (The Gondoliers). Later a star of music hall and musical comedy - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard, postally-used in 1910, autographed in dark blue ink. Condition: considerable wear to top edge and corners. £30   [ref: RB2]    

    

above: autograph detail

   

  

  

  

    

         

Josephine Barstow - born 1940, British soprano, a fine singing actress with a huge repertoire (Violetta, Musetta, Lady Macbeth, Salome) who became a major star at English National Opera - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo. £20 

      

 

above: detail of Josephine Barstow autograph

 

   

  

  

    

  

Cecilia Bartoli - born 1966; Italian mezzo-soprano who is capable of soprano roles as well. She came to fame singing Cherubino at the Opera Bastille in 1990, then had huge success in other Mozart roles including Zerlina, Susannah and Dorabella. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1996 as Despina, and in 2000 she was a highly acclaimed Donna Elvira at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. In 1991 she made her long-awaited debut at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in Hayden's L'anima del filosofo. She has already made a huge number of recordings in her short career, including many previously unrecorded arias by Rossini, Gluck and Vivaldi - 6 x 8.25 inches (15 x 21 cm) autographed large Decca publicity card, signed: "Best wishes, Cecilia Bartoli". £25 

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

Thorpe Bates - 1883-1958, British baritone (real name Thomas Thorpe-Bates). He had a successful career as a soloist in oratorios and on the concert platform, becaming a star of operetta and musical comedy, most famously in The Rebel Maid, where his rendition of The Fishermen of England stopped the show every night, as he was forced to perform at least one encore. In 1922 he performed on Broadway in The Yankee Princess. He made a number of recordings of opera and Gilbert and Sullivan, including a popular recording of Captain Corcoran's opening song from HMS Pinafore - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard. £20     

 

 

 

 

  

   

     

 

above: detail of Olga Bauer-Pilecka autograph

Olga Bauer-Pilecka - 1887-1941, Polish-born Austrian contralto. Initially a concert and oratorio singer, in 1917 she joined the Vienna Court Opera (later renamed the Vienna State Opera) where her roles included Azucena, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Suzuki, Amneris, Fricka and Orlovsky. She was also famous for her love of dachshunds - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Olga Bauer-Pilecka, Wien 1928". £60

 

 

 

 

     

Hermann Becht - 1939-2009, German bass-baritone, he sang with the Bavarian State Opera and the Vienna Staatsoper; his roles included Pizarro, Mozart's Count, Telramund, both the Dutchman and Daland, Pogner, Hunding, Wozzeck and Amfortas. At Bayreuth he was a noted Alberich and Kurtvenal - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £18    

 

 

  

 

  

  

Hildegard Behrens - born 1937, German soprano who made her Covent Garden debut as Leonore (Fidelio) in 1976, and that same year her Metropolitan Opera debut as Giorgetta (Il Tabarro). ln 1977 she sang Salome at Salzburg, and from 1983-86 she was Brunnhilde at Bayreuth. A fine actress with a wonderful voice, her Marie in Wozzeck, Senta and Emilia Marty were greatly admired - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo. £25    

 

 

 

 

  

             

Hans Beirer - 1911-1993, Austrian tenor; sang Tristan, Siegfried, Otello, Florestan and Radames for Deutsche Oper Berlin, and La Scala Milan. He sang Tannhauser, Tristan and Parsifal at Bayreuth - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him as Parsifal, dated 1962. £35   [ref: HB1]           

   

   

 

  

  

 

Hans Beirer - 1922-1993, Austrian tenor; sang Tristan, Siegfried, Otello, Florestan and Radames for Deutsche Oper Berlin and at La Scala Milan. He sang Tannhauser, Tristan and Parsifal at Bayreuth - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo showing him in The Flying Dutchman. Condition: slight surface abrasionw. £25   [ref: HB2]     

 

 

 

 

  


Gertrud Bender - German mezzo-soprano, active in 1920s with Cologne Opera - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed wavy-edged postcard showing her as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro. Condition: silvering of image around edges. £20         

  

 

 

 

  

          

Teresa Berganza - born 1936, Spanish mezzo-soprano, particularly fine in Mozart and Rossini roles - 4.75 x 6.5 inches (12 x 17 cm) autographed photo. £30  [ref: TB1]      

   

   

 

  

  

    

Teresa Berganza - born 1936, Spanish mezzo-soprano, particularly fine in Mozart and Rossini roles - 4.75 x 7 inches (12 x 18 cm) autographed photo showing her as Cherubino. £30   [ref: TB2]        

   

   

 

  

  

    

Teresa Berganza - born 1936, Spanish mezzo-soprano, particularly fine in Mozart and Rossini roles - 6.75 x 9.25 inches (17 x 23 cm) large autographed photo showing her as Cherubino. £35   [ref: TB3]    

   

   

   

    

 

  

   

Erna Berger - 1900-1990, German soprano, perhaps the finest of a wonderful generation of German and Austrian colouratura sopranos, whose Queen of the Night and Konstanze were considered as the greatest of all. She regularly appeared at Covent Garden in the 1930s, and in 1949 made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sophie - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, dated 1961.   SOLD
  

    

 

above: detail of Erna Berger autograph

 

 

 

 

    

 

Carlo Bergonzi - 1924-2014, Italian tenor with a large repertoire that covered nearly all of the verismo and Verdi tenor roles, as well as Donizetti roles such as Nemorino and Edgardo. He regularly sang at both the Met and at Covent Garden as well as most of the world's major opera houses. His fine voice and intelligent singing can be heard on dozens of recordings - 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.5 cm) large autographed photo. £65      

 

 

 

 

 

  

   

Walter Berry - 1929-2000, Austrian bass-baritone who rose to fame singing the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Vienna Staatsoper; with his wide repertoire and magnificent voice he made guest appearances in all of the world's major opera houses. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1966, as Barak in Die Frau ohne Schatten, the same role with which he made his Covent Garden debut in 1976, returning for Wotan, Bluebeard and Waldner (Arabella). He was particularly admired as Wozzeck, Baron Ochs and Pizarro - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed Fayer postcard showing him as Johannan in Salome at the Vienna Staatsoper, nicely signed in black marker-pen. £30     

 

 

 

 

  

    

Bert Beswick - British baritone who became famous when he replaced Walter Passmore in the leading role of "Jim Cheese" in Seymour Hick's musical comedy The Earl and the Girl, a role that he went on to play to great acclaim throughout the 1910s and 1920s - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed postcard showing him as Jim Cheese, signed: "Yours faithfully, Bert Beswick". £15     

 

 

above: detail of Bert Beswick autograph

  

 

 

 

       

   

Ingrid Bjoner - 1927-2006, Norwegian soprano, particularly known for her portrayal of Wagner heroines. For Norwegian National Opera she sang Donna Anna, and at Drottningholm the title role in Handel's Rodelinda. At the Vienna Staatsoper she sang Ariadne, Desdemona, Turandot and Leonore (Fidelio). In 1961 she made her Met debut as Elsa, returning to sing Mozart's Countess, The Empress, Eva and Gutrune. At ROH Covent Garden she sang Beethoven's Leonore, Sieglinde and Senta; her other roles included Tosca, Brunnhilde and Elizabeth - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, signed by her in green ink. £50      

 

 

 

 

  

 

Hans Peter Blochwitz - born 1949, German tenor. A fine lieder singer and oratorio soloist, he made his operatic debut as Lensky at Frankfurt Opera in 1984, his Covent Garden debut in 1989 as Ferrando and his Met debut as Don Ottavio in 1990. He is a fine Tamino, and as well as his Mozart roles he has recorded Bach Cantatas and Schubert lieder - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed publicity card, signed: "Herzlicht, Hans Peter Blochwitz". £15     

 

  

 

 

  

 

Ruthilde Boesch - 1918-2012, Austrian soprano, famous for her lyric-soprano and coloratura roles at the Vienna State Opera, singing there 387 times in 38 roles. In an era when this company was awash with excellent sopranos, she was supreme in Mozart roles such as Susanna, Despina and Papagena. She regularly sang at the Salzburg and Bregenz festivals; her other noteworthy roles included Zerbinetta and Olympia. A famous singing teacher, her pupils included Edita Gruberova and Eva Lind - 3.25 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 14 cm) autographed photo, dated "Sept '56" top left, and signed: "Herzliebst, Ruthilde Boesch". £30     

 

 

  

 

  

    

Kurt Bohme - 1908-1983, German bass, best known as Baron Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier - 4.25 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo, dated 5.6.58. £20
 

  

 

 

above: detail of Kurt Bohme autograph

 

 

 

   

  

   

 

    

  

Hans Heinz Bollmann - 1889-1994, German tenor with a fine voice, used with great elegance and intelligence; he started his career singing opera roles in his native Hamburg, but soon became well known for operetta, particularly in Berlin and Vienna, and he became a famous star of radio during the 1930s - autograph on 7 x 4.5 inches (18 x 11.5 cm) page from autograph book, signed: "Zarewitsch Wien 1928, Hans Heinz Bollmann". £20     

 

 

 

 

  

      

Franco Bonisolli - 1938-2003, eccentric Italian tenor, a notable Manrico, Calaf, Rodolfo and Cavaradossi - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed at ROH Covent Garden 1985. £10
   

   

  

   

 

  

 
     

Umberto Borghi - Italian tenor - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo, signed: "Umberto Borghi, Verona 1965". £20
       

   

 

   

  

  

 

Owen Brannigan - 1908-1973, British bass, with wide operatic and concert repertoire from Handel to Tippett; he was a popular radio broadcaster, and at the Proms sang (and recorded) a number of Gilbert and Sullivan roles, as well as appearing in the 1953 film The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan - autograph on 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm) pale orange page from autograph book, signed: "Good wishes, Owen Brannigan".

£10   [ref: OB1]

     

  

  

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

above: detail of autographs

 

Owen Brannigan 1908-1973, British bass, and Ernest Lush 1908-1988, British pianist and accompanist who accompanied Kathleen Ferrier and many other leading British singers - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) photo, autographed by both, and dedicated top-left: "For Norman Parr". £20   [ref: OB2]

 

 

 

 

           

John Brecknock - born 1937, British tenor; a regular with English National Opera in the 1970s and 80s, particularly as Alfredo in La Traviata, Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville, and the title role in Count Ory - autograph on 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm) card, signed: "With all good wishes John Brecknock" with small photo snipped from a magazine showing him as Lindoro in 1979. £10        

   

  

 

   

  

   

Wolfgang Brendel - born 1947, German baritone, a noted Mandryka in Arabella - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed: "21.10.85 Conte di Luna, Wolfgang Brendel", signed after performance of Il Trovatore at ROH Covent Garden. £10   

   

  

   


  

 

Maria Jose Brill - mezzo-soprano, who sang with Deutche Opera Berlin in the 1970s and 80s - 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing her as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly in Berlin, signed: "Herzliebst, Maria Jose Brill, 1996". £10     

 

 

 

 

  

   

     

 

above: detail of June Bronhill autograph

June Bronhill - 1929-2005, Australian soprano, best remembered for soprano operetta roles at Sadlers Wells, including the title roles in The Merry Widow, La Belle Helene and for singing Euridice in Orpheus in the Underworld all of which she recorded. Opera roles included The Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute), Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos), and she sang Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor) at the ROH Covent Garden -  4.75 x 6.5 inches (12 x 16.5 cm) autographed photo with dedication: "Dear Joyce, thank you for your kind letter. Good wishes, June Bronhill. £35

 

 

 

  

Gre Brouenstijn - born 1915, Dutch soprano, a notable Tosca, Aida and Elizabeth (Don Carlo), particularly at ROH Covent Garden; and Eva, Sieglinde, Elizabeth and Gutrune at Bayreuth - 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm) autographed photo, showing her as Elizabeth in Tannhauser, signed: "Mit herzliebst [?] Gre Brouenstijn". £30         

 

 

 

 

  

 

Sesto Bruscantini - 1919-2003, Italian baritone who was famous for singing buffo and lyric roles in Rossini and Mozart operas. He included in his repertoire both Don Pasquale and Malatesta, Guglielmo and Don Alfonso, Rossini's Figaro and Dr Bartolo, and Mozart's Figaro and Count Almaviva. He later added more dramatic roles such as Rigoletto, Germont Pere, Posa and Ford. A wonderful singing actor, he regularly sang at Glyndebourne, Salzburg and Vienna - 6.75 x 9.25 inches (17 x 23 cm) autographed photo showing him as Posa in Don Carlo. Condition: slight wear to middle-right edge. £45     

 

 

 

     

 

  

        

Renato Bruson - born 1936, Italian baritone noted for his dignified and noble interpretations of Verdi and Donizetti roles. At the Metropolitan he was a highly-acclaimed Enrico, Posa, Germont and Luna, and at the ROH Covent Garden he was a regular Macbeth, Miller, Iago, Boccanegra and Falstaff - 5 x 7 inches (13 x 18 cm) autographed photo showing him as Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor in Palermo, dated 1976. £25  [ref: RB1]     

  

  

   

 

  

       

Renato Bruson - born 1936, Italian baritone noted for his dignified and noble interpretations of Verdi and Donizetti roles. At the Metropolitan he was a highly-acclaimed Enrico, Posa, Germont and Luna, and at ROH Covent Garden he was a regular Macbeth, Miller, Iago, Boccanegra and Falstaff - autograph on 5.75 x 3.5 inches (14.5 x 9 cm) white paper page from autograph book, dated 1986. £12  [ref: RB3]     

   

   

   

    

  

   

Isobel Buchanan - born 1954, British (Scottish) soprano whose roles included Pamina and The Countess (Figaro) at Glyndebourne, and Michaela and Sophie (Werther) at ROH Covent Garden - 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.5 cm) large autographed photo, signed: "Best wishes, Isobel Buchanan". Condition: minor surface-creases bottom left, and small tear half-way up left-hand border. £20     

   

  

   

 

  

 

Grace Bumbry - born 1937, American mezzo-soprano, and more recently soprano. In 1961 she sang Venus at Bayreuth where she was the first black artist to perform; in 1963 she made her Covent Garden debut and in 1965 her Met debut, both as Eboli. She later sang Adalgesa, Norma and Salome at Covent Garden, and both Verdi Leonoras, Bess, Tosca and La Gioconda at the Met. She recorded many of her roles including Carmen - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing her as Eboli in Don Carlo, nicely signed in red marker-pen. £30   [ref: GB1] 
     

 

  

  

  

  

 

Grace Bumbry - born 1937, American mezzo-soprano, and more recently soprano. In 1961 she sang Venus at Bayreuth where she was the first black artist to perform; in 1963 she made her Covent Garden debut and in 1965 her Met debut, both as Eboli. She later sang Adalgesa, Norma and Salome at Covent Garden, and both Verdi Leonoras, Bess, Tosca and La Gioconda at the Met. She recorded many of her roles including Carmen - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo. Condition: slight wear to top corners. £22    [ref: GB2]
     

 

 

 

 

  

 

Grace Bumbry - born 1937, American mezzo-soprano, later soprano. In 1961 she sang Venus at Bayreuth where she was the first black artist to perform; in 1963 she made her Covent Garden debut, and then in 1965 her Metropolitan Opera debut, both debuts as Eboli. She later sang Adalgesa, Norma and Salome at Covent Garden, and both Verdi Leonoras, Bess, Tosca and La Gioconda at the Met. She recorded many of her roles including Carmen - 4.25 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed photo showing her as Tosca. £25   [ref: GB3]     

 

 

 

 

  

           

Paata Burchuladze - born 1955, Georgian bass, most famous for singing Ramfis (Aida), Philip (Don Carlo), Padre Guardiano (Forza del Destino) and Commendatore (Don Giovanni) at ROH Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera and Salzburg - 4 x 6 inches (10.5 x 15 cm) autographed record-company publicity photo, signed: "with best wishes, P. Burchuladze 87". £25 

   

 

above: detail of Paata Burchuladze autograph

   

 

   

 

    

    

Stuart Burrows - born 1933, British (Welsh) tenor, a regular at ROH Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera New York (Don Ottavio, Lensky, Alfredo, Fenton, Faust) - autograph on 6 x 3.5 inches (15 x 9 cm) white page from autograph book, signed after performance of Faust at ROH. £10
    

  

  

 
 

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