Description
A series of 10 Autograph Letters Signed, either in full or as John, ‘Coates of that Ilk’ etc., to his friend, Robert Buckley, Birmingham music critic, thanking Buckley for his reviews, discussing his work, etc. 10 letters, 25 pp. generally in good condition. London, 1903-1910, 1927-1929. John Coates (1865 – 1941), leading English tenor, who sang in opera and oratorio and on the concert platform. His repertoire ranged from Bach and Purcell to contemporary works, and embraced the major heldentenor roles in Richard Wagner’s operas. For more than 40 years, with only a four-year interruption for military service during World War I, he overcame the limitations of a voice that was not naturally large by impressing listeners with his intense artistic expression, lively diction, musical versatility and memorable stage presence.