Author: Schalk, Franz; Kiurina, Berta; Mayr, Richard; Kittel, Hermine; and Gallos, Hermann.
Title: Original Program for the December 19, 1920 Vienna Philharmonic Performance of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis", Signed by the Conductor Franz Schalk and the Singers Berta Kiurina, Richard Mayr, Hermine Kittel and Hermann Gallos.
Description: Wien: Bruchdruckerei Franz Karner, 1920. 1920. - Quarto, 12-1/2 inches high by 9-1/4 inches wide. Softcover, self-wraps with a portrait of Beethoven centered on the cover page. The program, part of the "Beethoven-Feier" December 11 to 19, 1920 "Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien" concerts is so titled on the cover page. 4 pages, including the covers, with the program and cast for the December 19, 1920 performance of the "Missa Solemnis" under the baton of Franz Schalk printed on the second page followed by the lyrics of the mass. The program is signed in pencil on the cover page by the conductor Franz Schalk and the four operatic singers: Berta Kiurina, Richard Mayr, Hermine Kittel, and Hermann Gallos. Folded vertically with short tears to the edges of the folds and a tiny hole at center. The pages of this fragile program printed on highly acidic paper are darkened, but the program has since been professionally de-acidified.

The Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien was founded in 1812 by Joseph Sonnleithner to promote music in all its facets. To accomplish its goals, the society promoted concerts and founded the Vienna Conservatory in 1819 and the Wiener Singverein in 1858.

The Austrian conductor Frank Schalk (1863-1931) was director of the Vienna State Opera from 1918 to 1929, holding the post jointly with Richard Strauss from 1919 to 1924. He later played a role in the establishment of the Salzburg Festival. A student of Anton Bruckner, he conducted the premiere of Bruckner's 5th Symphony and played a significant role in popularizing Bruckner's music and was also involved in the early publication of Mahler's 10th Symphony.

The Austrian contralto Hermine Kittel (1879-1948) studied singing with Amalie Materna in Vienna. She made her debut in Ljubljana in 1897 and went on to sing under Gustav Mahler at the Vienna State Opera. She sang at the Bayreuth Festival in 1902 and again in 1908 as Erda in Wagner's Ring.

The Austrian operatic bass-baritone Richard Mayr (1877-1935) first studied medicine before Gustave Mahler persuaded him to pursue a career as a singer. He studied at the Vienna Music Academy and made his debut at the 1902 Bayreuth Festival in the role of Hagen in Wagner's "Gotterdammerung". He was engaged by Mahler as the principal singer at the Vienna Hofoper where he enjoyed a long successful career. He was responsible for creating the role of Barak the Dyer in the premiere of Strauss's "Die Frau ohne Schatten". A mainstay at the Salzburg Festival, Mayr also sang at London's Royal Opera for several seasons and at New York's Metropolitan Opera for three seasons.

The Austrian Opera tenor Hermann Gallos (1886-1957) was a member of the Vienna State Opera from 1922 to 1950. He regularly performed at the Salzburg Festival, including two operas conducted by Franz Schalk.

Berta Kiurina (1882-1933) was an Operatic soprano. Fair .

Keywords: MUSIC; CLASSICAL; OPERA; PROGRAM; SIGNED; AUTOGRAPHS; FRANZ SCHALK; BERTA KIURINA; RICHARD MAYR; HERMINE KITTEL; HERMANN GALLOS; BEETHOVEN; MISSA SOLEMNIS; ORIGINAL TWENTIETH CENTURY; 20TH CENTURY; GESSELLSCHAFT DER MUSIKFREUNDE IN WIEN; CAST; SIGNATURES;

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