Autograph signature on an album leaf inscribed "To Jim"
Ca. 115 x 135 mm.
Portion of recto with signature faded; several small pieces of tape to verso.
Together with a half-length role portrait photograph of the baritone as Count de Luna from Verdi's Il Trovatore ca. 254 x 206 mm. With handstamps reading "Leonard Warren, Baritone Metropolitan Opera Company," and "Hurok Attractions... New York... Martin Feinstein Publicity Director... " to verso.
Slightly worn and soiled.
Warren "made his stage début with the Metropolitan in 1939, as Paolo in Simon Boccanegra; his last complete performance in the house, 21 years later, was as Simon himself. During his career, which was dominated by New York engagements, Warren won special acclaim in the great Verdi roles and as Barnaba (La Gioconda), Scarpia and Tonio. His voice was huge, smooth, superbly controlled and marked by special freedom in the top range (which extended to the tenor’s high C). Foreign engagements took him to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires (1942), Mexico City (1948), La Scala (1953) and the USSR (1958). His recorded legacy is an important one, and includes distinguished performances in Il trovatore, Rigoletto, La traviata, Un ballo in maschera and Macbeth. He was also an accomplished recitalist, as a live recording from Moscow confirms. He died on the stage of the Metropolitan while singing Don Carlo in La forza del destino." Martin Bernheimer and Dennis K. McIntire in Grove Music Online.
Item #24323
Price: $60.00 other currencies