Opera on stamps - share your favourites here!

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 29 Jul 2014 21:39

I have recently started collecting opera-themed stamps and I thought to open this thread to share some stamps from my collection. And of course, if you have any opera-themed stamps, feel free to post them!

I try to focus on stamps with cultural relevance, that is, I avoid colourful series such as "famous operas/composers around the world". The topic of the stamp and the issuing country must have some connection.

I collect stamps of operas, opera composers, singers, houses, festivals etc., and as my collection grows I will organize it according to these sub-categories.

I thought to start this thread by posting a few stamps of opera houses / locations.

First up is a 5 mark Finnish stamp from 1930 of Olavinlinna, a 15th century castle located in Savonlinna, Finland. It houses the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival.

Next up is an aerial view from the city of Savonlinna, Olavinlinna showing prominently in the middle. This is a Finnish stamp of 1,90 marks from 1989.

Below is a series of 1, 2 and 5 Ft Hungarian stamps from 1984, released to celebrate the reopening of Hungarian State Opera House.

And finally, a Soviet stamp from 1983 celebrating the bicentennial birthday of the then Kirov Theatre of Leningrad, now Mariinsky Theatre of Saint Petersburg.

I will post more pictures sometime soon. Hope you enjoy them!

aethelwulf · Post by **aethelwulf** » 29 Jul 2014 23:23

Hong Kong will be issuing a set of stamps (and probably M/S, there's always a M/S...) for Chinese opera in August. I can arrange a set for you if you're interested.

HalfpennyYellow · Post by **HalfpennyYellow** » 30 Jul 2014 00:07

Malta issued two stamps showing the Royal Opera House in Valletta:

Battle of Malta, 23 September 2005: 2ċ Queue outside Victory Kitchen and Ruins of Royal Opera House
Available here

Bands, 13 November 2007: 21ċ/€0.49 Band playing at Carnival
Available here

The Royal Opera House in Valletta was built between 1862 and 1866 on the site of the former Casa della Giornata. Its architect was Edward Middleton Barry, who also designed the Covent Garden Opera House in London, and it was regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in Valletta. The Opera House was severely damaged by a fire in 1873 but was renovated and reopened in 1877. The Opera House remained in use for many years, until it was hit by a Luftwaffe bomb on 7 April 1942. Most of the ruins were later demolished and the Opera House was never rebuilt. Despite this, the terrace remained intact and was used as a car park.

In 2008, the Italian architect Renzo Piano began the City Gate project, which included the renovation of the Opera House as an open air theatre. It was opened in 2013 and it is called Pjazza Teatru Rjal (Royal Theatre Square).

Although now it is better than it was a couple of years ago, personally I still don't like Piano's project. It would have been better to rebuild it in its original state, but the cost for that would be astronomical nowadays. Hopefully, sometime in the (probably distant) future, someone will try to rebuild it.

More info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Opera_House,_Valletta
https://themanwhowenttomalta.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/vallett ... to-rubble/

Some images:

The Royal Opera House

Interior of the Royal Opera House

Image link inactive
Original link information:
https://themanwhowenttomalta.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/fire1.jpg
The Royal Opera House on fire (1877)

Image link inactive
Original link information:
https://themanwhowenttomalta.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/m_valletta_royalopera_2.jpg
The Royal Opera House in ruins (1942)

The Royal Opera House in ruins (2006)

Pjazza Teatru Rjal under construction (2013)

Pjazza Teatru Rjal as it is today

Interior of Pjazza Teatru Rjal today

The images have been taken from Flickr, Wikipedia, The Man Who Went To Malta, Trip Reporter and the Times of Malta.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 30 Jul 2014 00:57

Kelhanion - Great topical idea! Here is my first contribution:

Kirsten Målfrid Flagstad (1895-1962) was a Norwegian opera singer who was gifted with what many opera critics have called "the voice of the century." Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Flagstad in operatic costume, designed by Knut Løkke-Sørensen, printed by lithography, and issued by Norway on June 26, 1995 to commemorate the singer's birth centenary, Scott No. 1099, Facit No. 1227, plus a publicity photograph of Kirsten Flagstad, and a YouTube link to a 1950 recording of Kirsten Flagstad's advice (in English) for young singers who want to sing Wagner (don't!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Stoi8DAqU

- nethryk

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 31 Jul 2014 04:46

Great stamps!

HalfpennyYellow, thanks for a very interesting post, I really enjoyed reading the backstory. And nethryk, that was a very interesting video - I'm watching through the Ring Cycle right now.

I am so glad I'm just starting this collection as I know I have so many great stamps yet to see, own and study (and there are so many singers, composers, operas and venues I don't know too well yet). I will post my own stamps from time to time, in quite a slow pace as I can't afford to expand too rapidly, but it is nice to see stamps and read posts such as yours!

PS. aethelwulf, let me think about it. We can discuss this via PMs later.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 01 Aug 2014 06:41

Kelhanion - Thanks!

Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (1858-1924) was an Italian composer whose operas are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire. Here is an image of a stamp honoring Giacomo Puccini, designed by Italian artist Adolfo Saporetti (1910-1974), printed by photogravure, and issued by Italy on August 16, 1974, Scott No. 1158, plus a photo of the composer taken in 1908, and a YouTube link to a performance by Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu (1965- ) of one of my favorite arias, Un bel dì vedremo ("One beautiful day"), from Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uut6X4E-Kgk

- nethryk

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 01 Aug 2014 18:12

nethryk, you continue to hit spot on! Angela Gheorghiu happens to be my favourite soprano and Puccini my favourite composer. And that particular stamp happened to be the second stamp I bought from eBay for my collection.

And here is the first one. An Austrian stamp from 2003 of the Puccini's opera Turandot, celebrating the production at the St. Margarethen Opera Festival in the same year. The venue of the festival is an ancient Roman quarry which serves as a magnificent open air opera stage.
https://www.austria.info/us/discover-austria/st-margarethen-opera-festival-1530869.html

Turandot is often considered to be Puccini's masterpiece, although it was left unfinished and according to some critics, is somewhat flawed. However, no one can deny that it is a magnificent emotional rollercoaster. To me, personally, it was an exhausting experience, and after viewing it for the first time (from DVD) I said to my wife that this opera simply made me happy.

Turandot tells the story of a Chinese princess, Turandot, who poses three riddles to her suitors. If the suitor fails, death awaits him, but if he succeeds, the princess will give him her hand in marriage. Prince Calàf falls for the princess at the first sight and sets to conquer her love with such determination and self-confidence that not even the coldest of hearts can resist.

Both the venue and the opera are extraordinary, even though I have not seen this particular production. For a production at St. Margarethen, I recommend Carmen from the year 2005 (with real horses!) available on DVD, and for a production of Turandot I recommend one at Metropolitan Opera from 2009 (even though there are versions with better lead performances):
https://www.amazon.com/Puccini-Turandot-Maria-Guleghina/dp/B00507ZQNO

And finally some clips. Here's Eva Marton performing "In questa reggia"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ4sAJi4304

And Angela Gheorghiu performing "Tu che di gel sei cinta":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv2CvONn67M

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 02 Aug 2014 23:26

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo, also known as the Salle Garnier, was designed by French architect Charles Garnier (1825-1898), and opened in 1879. Here are images of the five stamps depicting scenes from various operas and the years they were first performed at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, and one stamp depicting Charles Garnier and the opera house, in a six-stamp set issued by Monaco on April 30, 1979 to commemorate the centenary of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Scott Nos. 1167-72.

- nethryk

Le jongleur de Notre-Dame (The Juggler of Notre Dame, 1902), a three-act opera, music by French composer Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet (1842-1912), French libretto by Maurice Léna (1859-1928), designed by Bernard Minne, and engraved by Georges Bétemps.

Hans, le joueur de flûte (Hans, the Flute Player, 1906), a comic opera in three acts, music by French composer and conductor Louis-Gaston Ganne (1862-1923), lyrics by A. St. John Brennan, designed and engraved by Pierre Forget.

Don Quichotte (Don Quixote, 1910), an opera in five acts, music by Jules Massenet, French libretto by Henri Caïn (1857-1937), designed and engraved by Jacky Larrivière.

L'Aiglon (The Eaglet, 1937), an opera in five acts, music by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger (1892-1955) and French composer Jacques François Antoine Ibert (1890-1962), libretto by Henri Cain, designed and engraved by Georges Bétemps.

L'enfant et les sortilèges: Fantaisie lyrique en deux parties (The Child and the Spells: A Lyric Fantasy in Two Parts, 1925) an opera in one act, music by French composer Joseph-Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), libretto by French novelist and performer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954), designed and engraved by Pierre Forget.

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo and Charles Garnier, designed and engraved by Jacques Gauthier.

tacomabob · Post by **tacomabob** » 03 Aug 2014 01:59

1933 Wagner Opera Issue-Germany
Perhaps someone can show the three missing issues.

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 03 Aug 2014 05:42

tacomabob, those are very interesting stamps, and in fact I've had my eyes on them for some time now. And nethryk, the color contrasts on those stamps of the Opéra de Monte Carlo are just amazing!

I'll continue the Wagner theme with an Austrian set from 1926. These stamps, designed by Wilhelm Dachauer, decipit events from the Nibelungen saga. I have actually not yet found confirmation whether this set is based on the Ring Cycle (Der Ring des Nibelungen) by Wagner or on the events in the Nibelungenlied (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibelungenlied). I've come to suspect the latter but if anyone can offer any information, I'd be grateful. The catalog number for these is Mi. 488 - 493 but I have no access to the catalog right now in case it casts any light to this.

In any case, I think these are wonderful stamps; and no wonder as the one in the top-left corner ("Gunters Drachenschiff auf dem Weg nach Island") got Dachauer the Thomson medal for the most beautiful stamp in the world. In the picture there is a mint and a cancelled copy of each stamp.

Next up are three unquestionably Wagnerian stamps, issued in 1943 in the Nazi-controlled Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. They celebrate the first performances of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (in 1871) and Siegfried (in 1887) in the Czech Republic as well as honor Wagner himself.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 05 Aug 2014 01:11

Here is an image of an airmail stamp featuring a portrait of Hungarian composer Karl Goldmark (1830-1915) and depicting a scene from his most famous opera, Die Königin von Saba ("The Queen of Sheba," 1875, German libretto by Hermann Salomon Mosenthal), printed by photogravure, and issued by Hungary on December 5, 1953, Scott No. C133, plus a photo of Karl Goldmark, and a YouTube link to a recording of the ballet music which opens Act III of Die Königin von Saba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjVOZPUVg-U

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 07 Aug 2014 01:16

Anton Grigorevich Rubinstein (1829-1894) was a Russian virtuoso pianist, composer and conductor, and the founder of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. Rubinstein's many compositions include five piano concertos, six symphonies, and twenty operas, the best known of which is The Demon (1871). Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Rubinstein, designed by Russian artist Vasili Vasilievich Zavialov (1906-1972), printed by photogravure, and issued by Russia (USSR) on December 30, 1954 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the composer's birth, plus an image of a portrayal of Anton Rubinstein on the podium by Russian artist Ilya Repin (1844-1930), and a YouTube link to a 1922 recording of Italian opera star Titta Ruffo (1877-1953), known as the Voce del leone ("voice of the lion"), singing Nye plach, ditya ("Do not weep, child") from The Demon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Llf590uwM

- nethryk

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 10 Aug 2014 20:50

Here's a block of four of Italian stamps from 1958, celebrating 100 years from the birth of Giacomo Puccini. The stamp, beautifully engraved by Mazzini Canfarini, shows a scene from one of Puccini's most celebrated operas, La Bohème. In the scene Marcello, a painter, and Rodolfo, a poet, complain of the cold and end up burning one of Rodolfo's manuscripts.

Act I culminates on the arrival of Mimi, who introduces herself with the following aria, performed here by Angela Gheorghiu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4rsu11K3PY

A close-up of one stamp:

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 11 Aug 2014 02:51

The following stamp was issued by Israel on December 3, 2013 to commemorate 200 birth anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi.

From the Israeli Philatelic Service leaflet:

The stamp features a portrait of Verdi against the background of Masada, which serves as a natural backdrop for the Israeli Opera’s Opera Festival at Masada. The carriage harnessed to the horse carries Abigaille, the adopted daughter of Nabucco, King of Babylon, who attempts to steal the throne from Nabucco and send all of the Jews exiled in Babylon to their deaths. The production was conducted by Daniel Oren, directed by Joseph Rochlitz and designed by Nitzan Refaeli (sets), Alberto Spiazzi (costumes) and Avi-Yona Bueno (lighting).

The tab features orchestra members from the Opera Orchestra, the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, as they rehearse at the foot of Masada as well as the opening notes of the score for the chorus of the slaves from “Nabucco”.

BTW, Kalhanion, I have this stamp double and can send you a copy of it.

Eli

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 11 Aug 2014 06:01

Eli wrote:
BTW, Kalhanion, I have this stamp double and can send you a copy of it.

Eli

That is a beautiful stamp, I especially like the notes from "Va, Pensiero" in the tab. Can't help but sing along when I see them. The stamp would make a great addition to my collection and I would really appreciate it! Could you send me an email so that we could discuss this further? I seem to be unable to send emails to members, I just asked about it and it is apparently some glitch affecting new members.

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 11 Aug 2014 06:35

kelhanion,

I sent you an email. When you receive it, press "reply" and you get my email address.

Eli

Brummie · Post by **Brummie** » 11 Aug 2014 09:01

Great topic Kelhanion and I love those Austrian stamps, brilliant.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 11 Aug 2014 23:24

Alfredo Catalani (1854-1893) was an Italian operatic composer best known for his operas Loreley (1890) and La Wally (1892). Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Catalani, designed by G. Savini, printed by photogravure, and issued by Italy on June 19, 1954 to commemorate the composer's birth centenary, plus a photo of Alfredo Catalani, and a YouTube link to a recording of "The Dance of the Water Nymphs" from Act III of Loreley, performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini conducting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpOOm3Furc

- nethryk

rossi · Post by **rossi** » 12 Aug 2014 04:56

Issued on 9 November 2013:

Teatro La Fenice, Venezia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Fenice

rossi · Post by **rossi** » 12 Aug 2014 04:59

Issued on 15 March 1978:

Teatro alla Scala, Milano.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Scala

rossi · Post by **rossi** » 12 Aug 2014 05:04

Issued on 27 January 2001.

Il melodramma ed il teatro lirico Italiano.

rossi · Post by **rossi** » 12 Aug 2014 05:08

Issued on 15 March 2013.

100° anniversary Opera Festival Arena di Verona.

I don't like

that sheet/stamp but hey Verona is my town

.

Even if issued for another event, here is the Arena on another stamp:

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 12 Aug 2014 06:09

It's nice to see so many nice stamps here!

Next up is a set of eight Austrian stamps from 1969, issued to commemorate the Centenary of Vienna Opera House. I find the stamps, printed by photogravure, rather beautiful. That is why I decided to include pictures of individual stamps as well.

Here is the whole set.

Don Giovanni by Mozart. Don Giovanni was the opening premiere of the opera house when it was completed back in 1869.

The opera house was damaged in WWII. After over a decade the house was reopened with a performance of Fidelio by Beethoven.

Die Zauberflöte by Mozart. Just look at Papageno's expression - priceless!

Lohengrin by Wagner.

Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss

Carmen by Bizet.

Don Carlos by Verdi

And finally the only stamp not featuring an opera but a ballet; Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky.

And here is Papageno once again. Seriously, just look at his face. He is on the top of the world.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 13 Aug 2014 00:02

Kelhanion - Your Austria Vienna Opera House stamps were printed by combined intaglio engraved and photogravure, which accounts for the sharpness of the various vignettes, the work of several of Austria's outstanding stamp engravers.

Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) and illustrations of scenes from his opera Don Giovanni, designed by French artist Pierrette Lambert (1928- ), engraved by Pierre Albuisson, and issued by Monaco on November 16, 1987 to commemorate the bicentenary of this Mozart opera, Scott No. 1603, plus a YouTube link to a spirited performance of the overture to Don Giovanni, conducted by James Levine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nemAKvtXL8w

- nethryk

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 13 Aug 2014 05:18

nethryk wrote:Kelhanion - Your Austria Vienna Opera House stamps were printed by combined intaglio engraved and photogravure, which accounts for the sharpness of the various vignettes, the work of several of Austria's outstanding stamp engravers.

Thank you for the information! I'm currently trying to learn about different printing methods (I'm slowly falling in love with engraved stamps) and I had not run into that possibility before. So, whereas engraving is all about engraving tools and photogravure is all about chemicals this method combines them? I couldn't find further information via Google but I would love to find some source that would describe and illustrate this method in more detail. If someone has a good link, I'd be grateful!

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 14 Aug 2014 01:51

Kelhanion - The term "combined" simply means that part of a stamp's design was printed by one method, and another part was printed by another method. In the case of your Vienna Opera House stamps, the frames and most of the lettering were printed by photogravure, and the vignettes were intaglio engraved. You may wish to take a look at the "Engraved Stamp Beauties" thread, where a number of examples of combination intaglio and other printing techniques have been posted.

Daniel François Esprit Auber (1782-1871) was a French opera composer whose music has been described as light, vivacious, graceful, and melodious. Here is an image of a semi-postal (charity) stamp featuring a portrait of Auber and sheet music from his comic opera Fra Diavolo, ou L'hôtellerie de Terracine, which premiered on January 28, 1830, designed and engraved by Jean Pheulpin, and issued by France on March 6, 1971 for the centenary of Auber's death, Scott No. B445, Y&T No. 1667, plus a postcard with a photo of Daniel Auber taken in 1869, an image of a painting of English tenor (John) Sims Reeves (1821-1900) as Fra Diavolo the bandit, by British artist Alessandro Ossani (?-1888), and a YouTube link to a recorded performance of the Overture to Fra Diavolo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rWuib4c5F4

- nethryk

Kelhanion · Post by **Kelhanion** » 16 Aug 2014 20:53

nethryk wrote:Kelhanion - The term "combined" simply means that part of a stamp's design was printed by one method, and another part was printed by another method. In the case of your Vienna Opera House stamps, the frames and most of the lettering were printed by photogravure, and the vignettes were intaglio engraved.

Thank you for clarifying, that makes sense. I first got the idea that the vignettes themselves were created using some combination of techniques.

Here are two FDCs. First up is a 1987 cover from Egypt celebrating the premiere of Verdi's opera Aida in Thebes. The production was one of quite a large scale, see an account here, and it spawned some interesting controversy concerning Placido Domingo, details here.

Next up is the US cover from 1983 celebrating the centennial of the Metropolitan Opera. During the season a massive eight-hour gala concert was held featuring many of the Met's current and past stars, a snippet of which can be seen here.

rossi · Post by **rossi** » 17 Aug 2014 18:11

Postage stamps issued on 5 June 2014 for the soprano Renata Tebaldi.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renata_Tebaldi

(Un bel di vedremo, 1959)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_0eOqZPMmw

The theaters on the background are, starting from left:

- Teatro alla Scala, Milano

- Teatro Titano, San Marino

- Teatro San Carlo, Napoli

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 19 Aug 2014 23:47

Well, never say "This set doesn't fit your collection..." until you check the stamps carefully. During 1995-1996, Israel issued three sets of two stamps each depict musicians. One of them depicts Darius Milhaud, a French composer. On the right, scene from the opera "David" held in Jerusalem in 1955, conducted by Milhaud:

The rest of the stamps depict:
Leonard Bernstein, "Jeremaiah"
Ernest Bloch, "Schelomo"
Arnold Schoenberg, "Moses and Aharon"
Gustav Mahler
Felix Mendelssohn, "Elijah"

If you think one or more stamps from this set belong to the opera theme, I can scan them. Eli

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 21 Aug 2014 22:28

Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck (1714-1787) was an Austrian opera composer of the early classical period. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Gluck, designed by Adalbert Pilch, combined engraved by Kurt Leitgeb and photogravure, and issued by Austria on November 13, 1987 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the composer's death, Scott No. 1415, plus an image of an oil portrait (1795) of Gluck by French artist Joseph-Siffred Duplessis (1725-1802) which served as the model for this stamp's design, and a YouTube link to the overture from Gluck's opera Orfeo ed Euridice (1762): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXk8ilGn0c4

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 22 Aug 2014 22:12

Happy Birthday to French Impressionist composer Achille-Claude Debussy (1862-1918)! Pelléas et Mélisande is an opera in five acts with music by Claude Debussy which premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on April 30, 1902. Here is an image of a stamp designed by French artist Cyril de La Patellière (1950- ), engraved by Jacky Larrivière, and issued by Monaco on June 21, 2002 to commemorate the opera's centenary, Scott No. 2258, plus a photo of Claude Debussy in 1908, and a YouTube link to a video presentation of Act III, Scene 1 (reminiscent of "Rapunzel") of Pelléas et Mélisande: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbWydovn8oo

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 26 Aug 2014 02:37

Ángela Peralta (1845-1883) was an operatic soprano of international fame and a leading figure in the operatic life of 19th century Mexico. Called the "Mexican Nightingale" in Europe, she had already sung to acclaim in major European opera houses by the age of 20. Although primarily known for her singing, she was also a composer as well as an accomplished pianist and harpist. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Peralta, printed by photogravure, and issued by Mexico on August 30, 1983 to commemorate the centenary of her death, Scott No. 1323, plus a full-length photographic portrait of Ángela Peralta circa 1875.

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 28 Aug 2014 23:11

Happy Birthday to Italian opera composer Umberto Menotti Maria Giordano (1867-1948). Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Giordano superimposed over sheet music for his best known opera, Andrea Chénier (1896), which is based on the life of the French poet, printed by photogravure, and issued by Italy on August 28, 1967 to commemorate the composer's birth centenary, Scott No. 970, plus a postcard photo of Umberto Giordano which was probably a model for this stamp's design, and a YouTube link to a 1954 performance by Mara Callas of the aria "La Mamma Morta" from Andrea Chénier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVFjPqAvVhY

- nethryk

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 29 Aug 2014 19:05

On February 16, 1971, Israel issued a set of three stamps commemorates "Performing Arts in Israel". One of them commemorates the Israel National Opera established in 1947. The stamp depicts scene from the opera "Samson and Delilah" by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_and_Delilah_(opera)

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 01 Sep 2014 03:12

Happy Birthday to Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886), an Italian composer, mainly of operas. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Ponchielli and a scene from his popular opera La Gioconda (literally, "The Happy Woman"), first performed at Teatro alla Scala, Milan, in 1876, designed and combined engraved by Rita Morena and photogravure, and issued by Italy on March 8, 1986 to commemorate the centenary of the composer's death, Scott No. 1656, plus a photo of Amilcare Ponchielli, and a link to a YouTube video with a performance of the splendid (and well-known, thanks to Walt Disney's 1940 animated film, Fantasia) "Dance of the Hours" from La Gioconda, Sir Antonio "Tony" Pappano (1959-) conducting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmD5ph20CEg

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 10 Sep 2014 01:44

Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet (1842-1912) was a French composer best known for his operas, which were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Massenet, designed by French illustrator Paul-Pierre Lemagny (1905-1977), engraved by Antonin Delzers (1873-1943), and issued by France on June 22, 1942 to commemorate the composer's birth centenary, Scott No. 452, Y&T No. 545, plus an image of a photograph of Jules Massenet in 1880 by French photographer Pierre Lanith Petit (1831-1909), and a YouTube link to a performance of "Meditation" from Massenet's opera Thaïs (1894), featuring virtuoso cellist Yo-Yo Ma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtiIpIJ5J2Q

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 17 Sep 2014 01:01

Enrico Caruso (1873-1921) was an acclaimed Italian operatic tenor who performed in Europe and the Americas in a wide variety of roles from the Italian and French repertoires ranging from the lyric to the dramatic. Here is an image of a stamp depicting Caruso in costume, designed and engraved by Italian artist Vittorio Nicastro (1916- ), and issued by Italy on December 15, 1973 to commemorate the tenor's birth centenary, Scott No. 1127, plus a photograph of Enrico Caruso attired in a similar costume, and a YouTube link to a splendid restored recording (1909) of Caruso singing E lucevan le stelle ("And the stars were shining"), an aria from the third act of Giacomo Puccini's opera Tosca (1900): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed72VvnnpBU

- nethryk

aethelwulf · Post by **aethelwulf** » 21 Sep 2014 00:40

Hong Kong's recent issue for Cantonese opera. Sorry for the rubbish images, I don't have a scanner at the moment, so I took the images from the HKPost website, which were tiny so I blew them up.

"Cantonese Opera Costumes" Special Stamps
Date of Issue: 21 August 2014

Cantonese opera is a highly-valued traditional performing art in Hong Kong. With a live chamber orchestra and special theatrical costumes, Cantonese opera is an art form involving many skills such as singing, acting, narration and martial arts. Cantonese opera costumes come in a wide variety and correspond to the identity and social status of different roles. Hongkong Post issues a set of special stamps on “Cantonese Opera Costumes” featuring seven distinctive costumes.

The $1.70 stamp portrays a great Han costume. Embroidered with phoenix and floral designs, the costume is mostly worn by artists impersonating queens, princesses or imperial concubines. A female great Han costume features a top with draping sleeves and a large decorative shoulder cape, a long double layer pleated dress, a tight waist, a front flap and a back flap.

The $2.20 stamp shows a gown with a sloping collar. The gown is a common Cantonese opera costume worn mostly by artists playing young aristocrats and noblemen. Decorated with floral patterns, it is characterised by a sloping collar, wide sleeves covered by flowing sleeves and a straight body with two side slits.

The $2.90 stamp depicts a dress for young ladies. The dress is the daily wear for the role of unmarried maidens. It is featured by a top with wide sleeves covered with flowing sleeves, a tight waist, and a long dress embroidered with flower motifs. A decorative shoulder cape and a front or back flap can be added to the costume to reflect the character’s identity or status.

The $3.10 stamp delineates a military uniform for soldiers. The uniform, emblazoned with floral and cloud motifs, features a top with a round collar, loose sleeves with cuffs, an outer vest and a pair of harem trousers. Artists portraying military officers usually wear this costume.

The $3.70 stamp displays a python ceremonial robe (mang). The robe, a form of regalia worn by actors playing emperors, generals and ministers, is decorated with a circular dragon, a single dragon and cloud motifs. A men’s mang is a long robe with a round collar, wide sleeves covered with flowing sleeves, and a jade belt around the waist.

The $5 stamp features a gown with a vertical collar (pei). This gown with floral embroidery is the casual wear worn by patricians. A women’s pei is a long knee-length robe with symmetrical fronts, wide sleeves covered with flowing sleeves, two side slits and a long dress.

The $10 stamp sheetlet features a grand armour. Dressed in the grand armour, actors impersonating the marshals of the Six Kingdoms in The Joint Investiture project a heroic, gallant and formidable demeanour. As the costume for military officers, grand armour emblazoned with a scale pattern is decorated with triangular pennants on the back. Grand armour for men features a round collar, narrow sleeves and a stiff protruding protective front covering in the centre.

aethelwulf · Post by **aethelwulf** » 21 Sep 2014 00:50

And recent-ish sets from P.R.China (images taken from an eBay lot I happened across). These would be a lot cheaper than the famous Mei Lan Fang set.

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 24 Sep 2014 00:14

Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) was a German-born French composer, cellist and impresario remembered for his nearly 100 operettas and for an uncompleted opera, The Tales of Hoffmann. Here is an image of an airmail stamp featuring a portrait of the composer, designed and engraved by Georges Bétemps, and issued by Gabon on May 15, 1980 to commemorate the centenary of his death, Scott No. C230, plus an image of a painted portrait of Jacques Offenbach in the 1860s, and a YouTube link to a performance of the Overture to Offenbach's classical full-length operetta Orphée aux enfers ("Orpheus in the Underworld," 1858), which concludes with the famous Can Can music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4hs7vW8SV0

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 28 Sep 2014 00:59

Emmy Destinn (Ema Destinnová, 1878-1930) was a Czech operatic soprano known for her strong and soaring lyric-dramatic voice. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Destinn, designed by Czech artist Karel Svolinský (1896-1986), engraved by Jindra Schmidt, and issued by Czechoslovakia on November 18, 1953 as one of a set of three stamps commemorating the 70th anniversary of the National Theater, Scott No. 624, plus a photograph of Emmy Destinn, and a YouTube link to a recorded performance of Emmy Destinn singing "Vissi d'arte," a soprano aria from Act 2 of the opera Tosca by Giacomo Puccini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSLVcTqz8cA

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 08 Oct 2014 23:45

Many of the works of Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (1839-1881) were inspired by Russian history, including his masterpiece, the opera Boris Godunov, which premiered on January 27, 1874. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Mussorgsky and depicting the coronation scene from Boris Godunov, designed by R. Strelnikov, printed by lithography, and issued by Russia (USSR) on February 15, 1989 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth, Scott No. 5754, Zagorski No. 5980, plus a photograph of Modest Mussorgsky, and a YouTube link to a performance of the opera's coronation scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEBq-gsdI58

- nethryk

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 09 Oct 2014 16:00

Nethryk, your previous post reminds me that I have two postal stationeries from Soviet Union in my spare items box that I ready to swap. Both were issued in 1989 to mark the 150th anniversary of Mussorgsky birth.

First postal stationery is an official stamped cover:

Second postal stationery is an official stamped PC:

The printed stamp of the stationery also marks Mussorgsky birth:

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 09 Oct 2014 22:36

Eli - Outstanding!

Happy Birthday to French composer, organist, conductor, and pianist Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921). Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Saint-Saëns, and depicting the destruction of the Temple of Dagon (Act 3, Scene 2) from his grand opera Samson et Dalila, which premiered on December 2, 1877, designed and engraved by French artist Georges Bétemps (1921-1992), and issued by Monaco on January 18, 1972, Scott No. 819, plus a photograph of Camille Saint-Saëns, and a YouTube link to a 1983 performance at the Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala of the exotic "Danse Bacchanale" from Samson et Dalila: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VCUNzR4nC0

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 26 Oct 2014 02:23

Happy Birthday to French composer Georges Bizet (1838-1875). Bizet's final work, Carmen, is an opera in four acts about a fiery Gypsy who seduces a naïve soldier. The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on a novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée. Carmen was first performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, on March 3, 1875, and it continues to be one of the most frequently performed operas. Here are images of the four stamps in a set depicting scenes from Carmen, designed and engraved by Albert Decaris, and issued by Monaco on May 13, 1975 to commemorate the centenary of the opera's first performance, Scott Nos. 964-67, plus a YouTube link to a recent performance of the aria "Habanera," the popular name for L'amour est un oiseau rebelle ("Love is a rebellious bird"), from Act 1 of Carmen, by Italian soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci (1961- ) with The Royal Opera, London: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_HHRJf0xg

- nethryk

PS I previously posted this set in the "Tarts on stamps" thread a couple of years ago, but in honor of Georges Bizet's birthday, and the identity of the set's designer and engraver, I believe that it is well worth a second look here.

Act 1: Prologue, in a square in Seville

Act 2: At Lillas Pastia's inn

Act 3: At the smugglers' hideaway in the mountains

Act 4: At the entrance to the amphitheater and bullring

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 18 Nov 2014 01:20

Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Austrian pianist and composer Wilhelm Kienzl (1857-1941), designed by Austrian painter Wilhelm Dachauer (1881-1951), engraved by Ferdinand Lorber, and issued by Austria on October 3, 1951 for the 10th anniversary of Kienzl's death, Scott No. 578, plus a photo of the composer, and a YouTube link to a recording (c. 1920) of German contralto Ottilie Metzger-Lattermann (1878-1943) singing the aria "O schöne Jugendtage" ("O Beautiful Days of Youth") from Wilhlem Kienzl's most successful opera, Der Evangelimann ("The Evangelist"), first performed in 1895: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWu-FuNAXp8

- nethryk

honza · Post by **honza** » 18 Nov 2014 05:15

Ahoj everyone!

Czech Republic 2011 E (European rate) Mozart stamp

This is my favourite opera stamp which I first showed on my 'Why not collect stamps of the Czech Republic?' thread.

https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=45282

I think it reflects very well the vigour and expression of Mozart's music - the fingers reaching out, the head thrown back , the lace and embroideries.

In the background at the top is a copy of the original Don Giovanni score and the building is Prague's Estates Theatre, where Don Giovnni was first performed in 1787, conducted by the composer himself.

Cheers,

Honza

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 14 Dec 2014 01:17

honza - Interesting post! Thanks for sharing.

Happy Birthday to Mikas Petrauskas (1873-1937), a Lithuanian composer, organist, singer (tenor), conductor and teacher. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of the composer and depicting a scene from his opera (based on a Lithuanian fairy tale) Eglė žalčių karalienė ("Eglė Queen of the Grass-Snakes," 1920), designed by Russian artist Vasili Vasilievich Zavialov (1906-1972), printed by photogravure, and issued by Russia (USSR) on December 20, 1963, Scott No. 2823, Zagorski No. 2863, plus a photo of Mikas Petrauskas, and a YouTube link to a performance of an aria from Petauskas's first opera, Birutė (1906), by Lithuanian soprano Asta Krikščiūnaitė (1961- ) with the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra and Kaunas State Choir, conducted by Modestas Pitrenas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuMNGJdi4U

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 27 Jan 2015 23:12

Happy Birthday to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. Here is an image of a stamp featuring a portrait of Mozart, the Estates Theatre in Prague, and sheet music for his opera La clemenza di Tito ("The Clemency of Titus"), which premiered on September 6, 1791 at the Estates Theatre, designed by Czech artist Pavel Sivko (1948- ), combined engraved by Bohumil Šneider and photogravure, and issued by Czechoslovakia on February 4, 1991, Scott No. 2828, plus an image of a detail from a portrait of Mozart (c. 1780) by Austrian painter Johann Nepomuk della Croce (1736–1819), and a YouTube link to a performance of the Overture from La clemenza di Tito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWH3G_wbhO0

- nethryk

nethryk · Post by **nethryk** » 03 Feb 2015 01:45

"Gilbert and Sullivan" refers to the Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the librettist W. S. Gilbert (1836-1911) and the composer Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900), and to the fourteen comic operas they jointly created between 1871 and 1896. Here are images of the five stamps in a set depicting scenes from some of Gilbert and Sullivan's most successful operas, designed by British artist Lynda Gray (1947- ), printed by photogravure, and issued by Great Britain on July 21, 1992 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Arthur Sullivan's birth, Scott Nos. 1458-62, SG Nos. 1624-28.

- nethryk

Note: Alas, one of my personal Gilbert and Sullivan favorites, H.M.S. Pinafore, or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor (1878), did not make the cut for this issue.

The Yeomen of the Guard, or, The Merryman and his Maid (1888)

The Gondoliers, or, The King of Barataria (1889)

The Mikado, or, The Town of Titipu (1885)

The Pirates of Penzance, or, The Slave of Duty (1879)

Iolanthe, or, The Peer and the Peri (1882)