ORIGINAL! RICCARDO MARTIN as LT. PINKERTON in the MADAMA BUTTERFLY 1915 AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO

RICCARDO MARTIN as LT. PINKERTON in the MADAMA BUTTERFLY 1915 AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO

[ Riccardo Martin (Tenor) (Hopkinsville, KY) b.1874 - d.1952) His real name was Hugh Whitfield Martin. He was granted an endowment which allowed him, in 1901, to go to Paris to study with Giovanni Sbriglia and Jean de Reszke; he later completed his studies with Vincenzo Lombardi in Florence and Beniamino Carelli in Naples, he sang Andrea Chénier at Verona. His first American appearances were at the French Opera House in New Orleans during the 1906-07 season. Shortly thereafter he made his Metropolitan Opera debut (20 Nov 1907) as Faust in Mefistofele, which also featured the debut of Feodor Chaliapin. He toured with the San Carlo Opera Company and in 1907 made his Metropolitan début as Arrigo Boito's Faust; he remained with the company until 1915. Martin appeared in three world premieres of American works at the Metropolitan: Converse's Pipe of Desire (18 Mar 1909), Parker's Mona (14 Mar 1912), and Damrosch's Cyrano (27 Feb 1913). Collectively, those works were only mounted thirteen times at that house. He made his Covent Garden début in 1910 as Pinkerton, also singing Giacomo Puccini's Des Grieux, Radames, Faust, Cavaradossi, Angel Clare (Frédéric d’Erlanger's Tess) and, in 1911, Canio and Dick Johnson. Martin performed the role of Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton in Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly multiple times during his tenure at the Metropolitan Opera between 1907 and 1918. He was among the first American-born leading men employed by the Metropolitan Opera, often alternating with legends like Caruso in major Puccini roles.He appeared at Boston and in Chicago (1920–23) as Radames, Nicias (Thaïs) and Don José. He had a voice of great beauty, though lacking in individuality, and a fine presence, but he suffered comparison with Caruso throughout his career. Martin died in New York City in 1952.]

AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIPTION SIGNED ON THE LOWER LEFT:

To Oliver C. Foreman

in Remembrance of 

his friend 

Riccardo Martin

St. Louis 1915.

ORIGINAL FRAME DIMENSIONS: 9" x 11 1/8"

VERY SHARP FOCUS WITH VERY FINE CONTRAST

EXTREMELY FINE WITH SOME LIGHT HANDLING FROM ITS 110+ YEARS.

THIS AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE FRAME AND REMAINS SEALED AFTER ITS 110+ YEARS.

PHOTOGRAPHERS LABEL ON THE FRONT LOWER RIGHT :

Matzene

Chicago

FRAME MAKER PARTIALLY ID'D LABEL ON THE REVERSE TOP CENTER :

                                                   ERTZ

                                                FRAMING

                                                   SHOP

                                   830 Mc CLURG BUILDING

                                     PHONE HARRISON 218

                         218 S. WABASH AVENUE. CHICAGO IL.

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