Librettist Collection

Oscar Hammerstein II
OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist and librettist, famous for his professional partnership with Richard Rogers. Wrote lyrics for " South Pacific" etc

William Schwenck Gilbert, 1876
1574499 William Schwenck Gilbert, 1876; (add.info.: William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) British humourist. Librettist and partner of Arthur Sullivan in the light operas produced under D'Oyly

William Schwenck Gilbert, 1873
1574498 William Schwenck Gilbert, 1873; (add.info.: William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) British humourist. Librettist and partner of Arthur Sullivan in the light operas produced under D'Oyly

Jens Baggesen
3078380 Jens Baggesen; (add.info.: Portrait of Jens Baggesen (1764-1826) a major Danish poet, librettist, critic, and comic writer. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

William Schwenck Gilbert, 1889
1574500 William Schwenck Gilbert, 1889; (add.info.: William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) British humourist. Librettist and partner of Arthur Sullivan in the light operas produced under D'Oyly

Salvadore Cammarano
5308210 Salvadore Cammarano.; (add.info.: Portrait of Salvadore Cammarano (1801-1852) a prolific Italian librettist and playwright. Dated 19th century. 01/01/1850); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Gregor, Joseph, Dr. portrait photograph, 1928 Dec. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Gregor, Joseph, Dr. portrait photograph, 1928 Dec

Francis De Croisset, c1893. Francis de Croisset (1877-1937), Belgian-born French playwright and opera librettist. From the 2e collection [Felix Potin, c1893]

Caricature of Joseph Mery, French writer
Caricature of Joseph Mery (1797-1866), French writer, journalist, playwright and librettist, by Nadar and Riou. Date: 1859

Eugene Scribe, French author
Eugene Scribe (1791-1861), French author, dramatist and opera librettist. Date: circa 1850s

William Schwenck Gilbert (1836 - 1911) English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator. Date: 1904

Thomas Morell (1703 - 1784) English librettist, classical scholar by William Hogarth
3521497 Thomas Morell (1703 - 1784) English librettist, classical scholar by William Hogarth by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); (add.info.: Thomas Morell (1703 - 1784) English librettist

Thomas Morell
3780266 Thomas Morell by Hogarth, William (1697-1764) (after); (add.info.: Thomas Morell. Engraving by James Basire the Elder (1730-1802), 1762, after work by William Hogarth (1697-1764)

Thomas Morell
3779634 Thomas Morell by Hogarth, William (1697-1764); (add.info.: Thomas Morell. Engraving by James Basire the Elder (1730-1802), 1762, after work by William Hogarth (1697-1764)

The Liar': Comedy by Carlo Goldini dated 18th century (print)
3776388 The Liar': Comedy by Carlo Goldini dated 18th century (print) by Fraser, Claud Lovat (1890-1921); (add.info.: The Liar': Comedy by Carlo Goldini, translated by Grace Lovat Fraser)

Portrait of Hugo von Hofmannsthal (photo)
3433048 Portrait of Hugo von Hofmannsthal (photo) by Perscheid, Nicola (1864-1930); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hugo Laurenz August Hofmann von Hofmannsthal (1874 - 1929)

Portrait of Hugo von Hofmannsthal, 1910 (photo)
3433056 Portrait of Hugo von Hofmannsthal, 1910 (photo) by Perscheid, Nicola (1864-1930); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hugo Laurenz August Hofmann von Hofmannsthal (1874 - 1929)

Joseph Mery, c. 1876 / 84. Creator: Unknown
Joseph Mery, c. 1876/84. [Portrait of Joseph Mery, French writer, journalist, novelist, poet, playwright and librettist]. Woodburytype, from the periodical" Galerie Contemporaine Litteraire

Portrait of Pietro Metastasio dressed in a cassock (oil on canvas)
2563438 Portrait of Pietro Metastasio dressed in a cassock (oil on canvas) by Mytens, Martin van II (1695-1770) (attr. to); 126.5x93 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Dutch

The New English Opera "Diarmid"at Covent Garden, the Call before the Curtain (litho)
1042605 The New English Opera " Diarmid" at Covent Garden, the Call before the Curtain (litho) by Paget, Henry Marriott (1856-1936) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Mozart and Schikaneder Work on The Magic Flute (chromolitho)
735347 Mozart and Schikaneder Work on The Magic Flute (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mozart and Schikaneder Work on The Magic Flute)

Monument to Carlo Osvaldo Goldoni (bronze)
429180 Monument to Carlo Osvaldo Goldoni (bronze) by Dal Zotto, Antonio (1841-1918); Campo San Bartolomeo, Venice, Italy; (add.info.: Carlo Osvaldo Goldoni (1707-93)

French playwright and lobrettist Francois de Croisset and singer and actress Jeanne Granier. (colour litho)
2786191 French playwright and lobrettist Francois de Croisset and singer and actress Jeanne Granier. (colour litho) by de Losques

Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) and Georges Auric (1899-1983) at Villefranche sur Mer
CHT214709 Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) and Georges Auric (1899-1983) at Villefranche sur Mer, 1924 (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Bibliotheque de l Opera Garnier, Paris

Cartoon, Mr William Yardley, English cricketer and writer
Cartoon portrait, Mr William Yardley (1849-1900), English first class cricketer (Cambridge University and Kent) - Always good at scoring. He was also an actor, playwright and drama critic. 1884

Cartoon, Mr James (Jimmy) Davis (1853-1907), pen name Owen Hall (a pun on owing all, referring to his gambling and extravagant lifestyle), Irish-born theatre writer, librettist, racing correspondent

Francis de Croisset, French playwright, novelist and librettist. Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho)
2785958 Francis de Croisset, French playwright, novelist and librettist. Illustration for Le Rire (colour litho) by Leandre, Charles (1862-1934); Private Collection; (add.info.: Francis de Croisset)

General John Burgoyne, British army officer
General John Burgoyne (1722-1792), British army officer, dramatist and politician. circa 1770s

Punch cartoon: Ws Gilbert, English dramatist and librettist (engraving)
6034898 Punch cartoon: Ws Gilbert, English dramatist and librettist (engraving) by Sambourne, Edward Linley (1844-1910) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: Ws Gilbert (1836-1911)

Echoes Of The Last Theatrical Success, The Grand Banquet In Giacosa (colour litho)
2798285 Echoes Of The Last Theatrical Success, The Grand Banquet In Giacosa (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Echoes Of The Last Theatrical Success)

Portrait of Charles Jennens (1700-73), patron and friend of Handel
DEC84531 Portrait of Charles Jennens (1700-73), patron and friend of Handel by Chamberlin, Mason (1727-87); 122.6x101. cm; Gerald Coke Handel Collection, Foundling Museum

Facsimile of the title page of a Venetian edition of the collected works of Italian poet
5208269 Facsimile of the title page of a Venetian edition of the collected works of Italian poet and librettist Pietro Metastasio (litho) by German School

Portrait of Arrigo Boito (1842 - 1918) (coloured engraving)
3585332 Portrait of Arrigo Boito (1842 - 1918) (coloured engraving) by Italian School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Arrigo Boito (1842 - 1918) was an Italian poet, journalist

"Patience", a Spy caricature of William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911
CWA97279 " Patience", a Spy caricature of William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911) from Vanity Fair, 21st May 1881 (colour litho) by Ward

Henry Meilhac, French playwright and librettist (engraving)
977917 Henry Meilhac, French playwright and librettist (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Henry Meilhac (1830-1897)

Gabriele D Annunzio and Pietro Mascagni, composers of the opera Parisina (colour litho)
3097775 Gabriele D Annunzio and Pietro Mascagni, composers of the opera Parisina (colour litho) by Finozzi, Ugo (1874-1932); Private Collection; (add.info.: Gabriele D Annunzio and Pietro Mascagni)

Ws Gilbert, English dramatist and librettist (b / w photo)
3639387 Ws Gilbert, English dramatist and librettist (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ws Gilbert (1836-1911)

Portrait of the author Carlo Goldoni (oil on canvas)
GIA940231 Portrait of the author Carlo Goldoni (oil on canvas) by Italian School, (18th century); Museo Teatrale alla Scala, Milan

Edouard Blau, probably 1869. Creator: Frederic Bazille
Edouard Blau, probably 1869

Thomas Morell, S. T. P. - S. S. A. February 1762. Creator: James Basire I
Thomas Morell, S.T.P.- S.S.A. February 1762. After William Hogarth

VERDI & BOITO AT PIANO VERDI & BOITO AT PIANO
GIUSEPPE VERDI the Italian opera composer with his librettist, Arrigo Boito Date: 1813-1901

Metastasio, (1698-1782), 1830. Creator: Unknown
Metastasio, (1698-1782), 1830. Pietro Trapassi, better known as Pietro Metastasio (1698-1782) Italian poet and librettist, an important writer of opera seria libretti

Cobb, (1756-1818), 1830. Creator: Unknown
Cobb, (1756-1818), 1830. James Cobb (1756-1818) English librettist who in 1771 joined the East India Company and became secretary. From " Biographical Illustrations", by Alfred Howard

Franc-Nohain, c1893. Maurice Etienne Legrand, (1872-1934), French librettist and poet. He is best known for his libretti for Maurice Ravels opera L heure espagnole

Emile Moreau, c1893. Marie-Jules-Emile Moreau (1852-1922), French playwright and librettist. From the 2e collection [Felix Potin, c1893]

Gallet, c1893. Artist: Pierre Petit
Gallet, c1893. Louis Gallet (1835-1898), French writer of operatic libretti, dramatist and author. From the 2e collection [Felix Potin, c1893]

Fabrice Carre, c1893. Jules Fabrice (1855-1921), French playwright and librettist. From the 2e collection [Felix Potin, c1893]

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

A librettist is a master of words, weaving tales that come alive through music and performance, and are the unsung heroes behind some of the most beloved operas and musicals in history. One such legendary librettist was Oscar Hammerstein II, whose collaborations with composer Richard Rodgers gave birth to timeless classics like "The Sound of Music" and "South Pacific. " His lyrical genius brought depth and emotion to these stories, capturing the hearts of audiences for generations. In the world of French literature, Joseph Mery stands as a caricatured figure. A prolific writer, his contributions as a they were instrumental in shaping French opera. Similarly, Eugene Scribe's works revolutionized the genre with his innovative storytelling techniques. Across the English Channel, William Schwenck Gilbert left an indelible mark on musical theater. As both a dramatist and librettist, he created whimsical worlds filled with satire and wit in collaborations with composer Arthur Sullivan. Thomas Morell also deserves recognition for his contributions to classical opera. An English scholar known for his translations from ancient Greek texts into libretti, he added intellectual depth to many productions during his time. Moving forward in time brings us to Francis De Croisset's era - another talented individual who made significant strides in advancing the art form. His work showcased intricate plots filled with intrigue and humor that captivated audiences around the turn of the 20th century. Hugo von Hofmannsthal emerges as yet another influential figure in this realm. With portraits dating back to 1910 capturing him at different stages of life, it is evident that he possessed an innate ability to craft compelling narratives that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. From comedy by Carlo Goldini dating back centuries ago to modern-day visionaries like Hugo von Hofmannsthal or Joseph Mery's enigmatic presence captured by unknown artists - each one has left their unique imprint on the world of libretti.