Letter signed by Bidu Sayão (1932)
Letter signed by Bidu Sayão (1932)
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"I ask the management of Scala to confirm the program and the rehearsal day so that I can arrive in Milan on time."
- Letter signed by Bidu Sayão to Jenner Mataloni - Superintendent of La Scala Theatre from 1932 to 1943 - who left a handwritten comment at the bottom.
- One page.
- In Italian.
- 21.6 cm x 28.9 cm.
- October 17, 1932, in Rome.
- Perfect condition of conservation.
- Unique piece.
Portuguese translation, part typed
Rome, October 17, 1932
Pomegranate
Portuguese translation, part handwritten
Monday 17th With regard to the latest communication from the Federal Secretary, I confirm that full responsibility for the organization of the concert has been entrusted to the management of La Scala, which has drawn up a previously approved program and whose execution is entrusted exclusively to the artists, choir and orchestra of the current season at La Scala. Thank you
Jenner Malatoni (Superintendent of the La Scala Theater from 1932 to 1943)
It is no secret that Brazil has given the world formidable athletes and renowned painters. However, it is not only in the visual arts or sports that the natives of this land of Brazil have gained international recognition; Brazilian music has also conquered the United States and Europe with its voices and rhythm. One of the singers who built this legacy is Bidu Sayão (1902 - 1999), a famous lyrical interpreter who shone in the most famous theaters in the world during the 20th century.
Born in Itaguaí, a city in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, in 1902, Balduína de Oliveira Sayão, our beloved Bidu, began studying singing at a young age with a Romanian teacher who was living in Brazil at the time. Seeing the talent of the young woman from Rio de Janeiro, the teacher took her to Romania, where Bidu continued her studies. The change of continent opened up new opportunities for the singer, who in the late 1920s began performing in theaters in France and Italy.
In 1932, Bidu received the great honor of being invited to sing at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, as we can see in the letter she wrote to the director of this legendary venue. Opened in 1778, the Teatro alla Scala is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. The fact that she was invited to perform there must have been a great joy for the singer, but how must the girl from the countryside of Rio de Janeiro have felt upon receiving such an invitation? Excited? Ecstatic?
Whatever her feelings, the words in her letter were restrained and professional, Bidu treated the honor naturally, asking simply about the program and rehearsal dates. She did not want to arrive late in Milan.
Another interesting aspect of the letter is that the performance in which Bidu would participate was a fascist benefit concert. Although this idea may seem almost absurd to us, inhabitants of the 21st century, it is important to remember that, in the early 1930s, both fascism and Nazism were not yet understood as totalitarian and warlike regimes, but rather as nationalist movements that defended the people, and this was precisely the mask that enabled their growth. What did Bidu think about the subject? Not all of these questions have such clear answers, but knowing the world written through the words of Bidu Sayão, as in her letters, certainly brings us closer to this renowned singer.
This letter is one of the most interesting and important autograph documents we have discovered about Bidu Sayão.

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Yes. All items available at Glórias have been carefully selected, studied, and certified before being offered for sale. Each purchase comes with a digital certificate of authenticity and guarantee, which we send via email. It is signed and stamped by Mathias Meyer, a French autograph expert since 2010 and a member of the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers).
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We offer a 3% discount for payments made in full (via Pix or bank transfer) or the option to pay in up to 3 interest-free installments by credit card. Furthermore, the prices of our pieces are carefully determined based on international market supply and demand, the specific characteristics of each item, and sales results of similar pieces. For this reason, we typically do not grant additional discounts. However, if you wish to purchase multiple pieces or make an exceptionally high-value purchase, we would be pleased to consider a special commercial arrangement.
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All items sold by Glórias have a permanent guarantee against eventual certification errors, provided that such error is subsequently demonstrated and confirmed by Mathias Meyer. In this event, the buyer will be fully reimbursed. To date, this situation has never occurred. The guarantee does not cover natural alterations or damage caused by improper storage, exposure to light, humidity, insects, or any other external factor that may compromise the preservation of the paper or ink.
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How can I add value to my collection?
If your goal is to go beyond an isolated purchase, the ideal is to build a coherent collection around a theme, a personality, or a historical period, such as aviation pioneers, women who made history, love letters, old photographs of Rio de Janeiro, Oscar Niemeyer, Pelé, or Ayrton Senna. Mathias Meyer can guide you in forming a consistent collection, according to your interests, objectives, and budget.
How should I store my document or autograph?
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Why aren't these pieces in museums?
Throughout history, much of the world's documentary heritage has been preserved thanks to private collectors and dealers. These enthusiasts of historical documents play a fundamental role in the discovery, study, and preservation of pieces that can later be loaned, donated, or sold to museums and other institutions. In Brazil, where many museums have limited financial resources and staff, this collaboration is even more important. Glórias maintains relationships with public institutions, museums, and researchers, both in Brazil and abroad, sharing discoveries, knowledge, and, in some cases, documents for exhibitions.
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Where do the parts sold by Glórias come from?
Every document has a unique story. Most of the pieces offered by Glórias were inherited from families who contacted us, while others were acquired at auctions, where they were poorly identified or undervalued, or came from antique dealers, collectors, or companies. Behind every rare document there is a singular trajectory, which makes collecting a fascinating way to preserve and transmit history.
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