Daniza Ilitsch Austrian Opera Soprano Hans Braun 2x Hand Signed Autograph

PFAS25  Antique 5" x 2" autograph from the 1950s and from a former collectors autograph book containing a stunning character hand signed page for Austrian soprano Daniza Ilitsch where her signature rests perfectly to accompany her photo undedicated and bar lightly aged this is mint condition. On reverse has an personal autograph of similar Austrian opera baritone Hans Braun again undedicated and his signature resting perfectly also accompanying his portrait (see image 2). His photo has a small indent when being placed onto the souvenir but the card and autograph are pristine. Both signatures are dated from the mid 1950s and together surely comprise the earliest autograph opportunities of their kind.

Hans Braun (14 May 1917 2 May 1992) was an Austrian operatic baritone. He was a long-term member of the Vienna State Opera and appeared in leading roles such as Mozart's Count Almaviva and Wagner's Wolfram, including in major European opera houses and festivals

Ilitsch, Daniza, Serbian soprano; b. Belgrade, Feb. 21, 1914; d. Vienna, Jan. 15, 1965. She studied at the Stankovic Cons. in Belgrade, then in Berlin. She made her operatic debut as Nedda in Pagliacci with the Berlin State Opera (Nov. 6, 1936); was on its roster for 2 seasons, then was a member of the Vienna State Opera (193841). The German army of occupation put her in a concentration camp in 1944, and she spent 4 months there until the liberation of Vienna. She made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in N.Y. as Desdemona (March 12, 1947), remaining on its roster until 1948. Thereafter she pursued her career in Europe and South America In 1959 she settled in Vienna. She was principally known for her roles in Italian opera, including Aida, Desdemona, Gioconda, Amelia, and Cio-Cio-San.