VERDI WRITES TO MARIA WALDMANN WHO APPEARED IN HIS FIRST PRODUCTION OF AIDA IN MILAN   GIUSEPPE VERDI. ALS: "G. Verdi", 1p, 4½x3½. Sant'Agate, 1889 November 18. To his close friend, Maria Massari Waldmann. In Italian, partially translated. In part: "Thank you, my dear Maria, and thanks to your kind Duke for the affectionate remembrance...Greetings to the Duke and a warm handshake...." On February 8, 1872, mezzo-soprano MARIA MASSARI WALDMANN starred as Amneris in the Milan premiere of Aida under Verdi's direction. At the time of this letter, Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) spent part of the year at the Villa Verdi at St. Agata diBusseto, close to his birthplace in Le Roncole, and part in Genoa in an apartment in the Palazzo Doria. Inscription on verso of Verdi's letter, in Italian: "To my dear/friend Margherita/from/Maria Massari/Zavaglia/Ferrara, 22-1-905". There is a collection of nearly 100 letters from Verdi to Waldmann in La Biblioteca del Conservatorio "G.B. Martini" in Bologna, Italy. Lightly stained. Overall, fine condition. read more...

ANTONIN DVORAK A signed autograph note on a postcard, giving instructions to a music publisher in London, addressed in his hand and mailed from Prague in 1892. Both sides of the postcard can be viewed in the frame! Autograph Note Signed with two musical quotes: "A. Dvorak" in English, 5½x3¾. On verso of stamped postcard addressed by Dvorak to: "Novello & Ewer/ 1 Berners Street/London", postmarked Prague, March 24, 1892. In full: "I have no objection to it, when the two bars notes the Viola [c note] page 291. 207 are to be omitted and given to the Cello [two bars, two notes]". Czech composer Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) is best known for his symphony in E minor, From the New World, composed in 1893. He is also noted for success in adapting folk music to serious romantic music. Dvorak was the Director of The National Conservatory of Music from 1892-1895. Note side is soiled, worn torn edges (all intact). Corners torn away affecting some writing and 1 musical quote. Address side is soiled and worn, edge flaws are framed over. Light stains. read more...

EDVARD GRIEG and ERNESTINE SCHUMANN HEINK Both sign their names on this album leaf containing several bars of music drawn by Grieg Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "Edvard Grieg" 1p, 6x3½. Leipzig, 1891. Three bars of music labeled: "Andante" at top by EDVARD GRIEG (1843-1907). Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist who learned how to play at the age of six and went on the attend Leipzig Conservatory. His works include music for Ibsen's Peer Gynt (1876) as well as many choral, orchestral, and chamber pieces. On verso is an Autograph Note signed: "Schumann Heink" in German, New York, 1902 January. From the late 1880s to the early 1900s, the exceptional contralto voice of ERNESTINE SCHUMANN HEINK (1861-1936) was heard frequently at concerts and festivals throughout Europe. She was primarily known for her interpretations of Wagner and Strauss. In 1905, she took out U.S. naturalization papers. Her German-language recording of "Silent Night" earned sales for Victor Red Seal records unmatched by any other artist. When the U.S. read more...

PAUL MCCARTNEY The Beatles guitarist penned his signature on this Union Jack guitar after a 2006 concert in Columbus, Ohio Guitar Signed: "Paul McCartney" on the Union Jack pick guard. Squier Tele electric guitar by Fender, cream-colored body, with a red, white and blue pick guard patterned after the British flag. Accompanied by a black fabric, zippered carrying case with strap, and a letter of authenticity from the man who obtained the signature in person in October 2006, after a concert in Columbus, Ohio. Perhaps the most successful singer/composer in rock 'n roll history, Sir Paul McCartney (b. 1942) will always be remembered as a member of the Beatles, the band which took America by storm during its 1964 tour. The Beatles were one of many popular British bands part of the "British Invasion"; other bands who got major exposure in the United States include the Dave Clark Five, the Rolling Stones, and the Who. Before they broke up in 1970, the band released some of the greatest albums of all time, including three albums certified Diamond (at least 10x Platinum) by the RIAA: read more...

TAX DOCUMENT REVEALS THAT GEORGE GERSHWIN GOT 60% AND IRA GERSHWIN RECEIVED 40% FROM THEIR COLLABORATIONS   GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "George Gershwin" and "Ira Gershwin", 1p, 8½x13. Los Angeles, California, 1936 September 30. In part: "GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN each, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: That he is one of the parties to the written agreement dated July 29, 1936, executed by and between RKO STUDIOS, INC. and GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN, under the terms and conditions of which the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin are employed by the said RKO Studios, Inc. and under the terms and conditions of which the compensation payable to the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin is paid to them jointly, without any allocation between them. That under the terms and conditions of an agreement existing between the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin all compensation received by them read more...

THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOTT The Mamas and the Papas sign a document terminating their contract with Dunhill Records, Inc., Beverly Hills, California. Photocopied Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Dennis Doherty" and "Cass Elliott" and by the President of Dunhill Records, Inc. in ink, 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 September 25. Termination of their contract in letter form to Dunhill Records, Inc., Beverly Hills, California. Begins: "Gentlemen". In full: "This will confirm our understanding and agreement with you that the letter agreement dated as of April 28, 1966 between your predecessor in Dunhill Records Ltd. and us (a photocopy of which is annexed hereto) is hereby cancelled and nullified." Additional photocopy mentioned in document is not present. The day after this contract, Lou Adler resigned from Dunhill Records and was hired by the Mamas and the Papas to be their producer and, as an independent contractor, to supervise, direct and produce their recording sessions. read more...

DJANGO REINHARDT Rare photograph signed by one of Europe's first great jazz musicians, considered by many to be the finest guitarist the world has ever known. Rare Photograph signed: "D. Reinhardt". B/w, 5x6. Captioned at lower margin: "Club Rythmique de Belgique." Jean Baptise "Django" Reinhardt (1910-1953), who was born in Belgium, grew up in a gypsy camp near Paris. Originally a violinist, he is best remembered for his jazz and swing performances on the acoustic guitar (because of youthful burn injuries that cost him two fingers, Reinhardt had to develop an original fingering system). In the 1930s, he performed with Stephane Grappelli in the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Although he couldn't read music, Reinhardt created many influential jazz compositions. The pioneer of the concept of the lead guitarist in a musical group, Reinhardt is best remembered for such songs as "My Sweet", "Minor Swing", "Tears", "Belleville" "Djangology" and "Nauges". In addition to touring throughout Europe, Reinhardt was acclaimed in the U.S., opening for Duke Ellington and playing at Carnegie Hall. read more...

THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOT The Mamas and Papas sign a document to Dunhill Records, Inc., Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. and Wingate Music Corp. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Gilliam Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 3p, 8½x11, separate sheets. No place, 1967 September 28. In letter form to Dunhill Records, Inc., Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. and Wingate Music Corp. A listing of seven points to confirm the "understanding and agreement between you and the undersigned....". In part: "Trousdale agrees to cancel as of October 1, 1966 the 10% collection charge which was deducted in the computation of our writers' royalties for the last half of 1966...We acknowledge and agree that mechanical royalties are payable by Dunhill and its parent and affiliated companies to Trousdale and Wingate on 90% of gross sales and that writers' royalties are payable by Trousdale and Wingate on the same 90% basis...You and we hereby read more...

THELONIOUS MONK His rare signature on a letter of agreement with Columbia Records, concerning recorded distribution of his live performance at the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival. Documentary Letter signed: "Thelonious Monk", 1 page, 8½x11. Forest Hills, N.Y., 1963 September 23. On letterhead of Columbia Records. Monk signs his assent to a letter referencing a prior agreement by him with Columbia Records (1962 July 30), and declaring that no additional compensation will be owed him for the recording of his performance at the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival unless the company issues a complete LP album featuring his performance exclusively. Jazz pianist and composer Thelonius Monk (1917-1982) has been called "the high priest of bebop," although his idiosyncratic style defies glib categorization. Several of his compositions, including Round Midnight and Blue Monk are classics of the genre. Although Monk had been performing since the early 1940s and had already written some of his classic songs, it was not until the mid-1950s that his avant-garde style began to attract a wide audience. In 1956 he released Brilliant Corners, considered one of the classic jazz albums of all time. read more...