Crooks, Richard

Description

Autograph ID: 6682
Condition: Very Good, light horizontal fold thru signature.
Description:“(1900-1972) American tenor, studied with Bourne and LaForge in New York, débuted in Hamburg as Cavaradossi 1927, US debut in Philadlphia in 1930 as Cavardossi, 1933 Met début as Massenet’s Des Grieux. He became a star of the Metropolitan Opera, specializing in French and Italian operas and participated in the March 29, 1936 farewell gala for Spanish soprano Lucrezia Bori broadcast nationally. With the Met 1933-43, gained greatest fame through huge number of recordings and radio broadcasts, especially as host of The “Voice of Firestone” 1928-45 in which he sang operatic arias, patriotic songs, folk songs and popular hits. During a 1945 Firestone program Crooks lost a top note due to a degenerative throat condition, cancelled his recording contract and in 1950 ceased all professional work. In 1966, he was honored at the Farewell Gala to the Old Met, his final public appearance. Diagnosed with cancer in the mid-1960s, battled the disease until his death.

Autograph Sentiment (“Sincerely”) Signed on 6 ½ x 5 Detroit Athletic Club letterhead notepaper, 1931.”
Type: Autograph Sentiment Signed