Amelita Galli-Curci (1882 - 1963) was an Italian opera singer who enjoyed immense popularity in the 20th century. She studied piano at the Milan Conservatory, and at the ripe old age of 16 was offered a professorship. Galli-Curci made her operatic debut in 1906 in Verdi's Rigoletto. Later on she sang with Caruso and had a contract with the Victor Talking Machine Company; she recorded exclusively for Victor until 1930. In 1921 Galli-Curci made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and she retired from opera in 1930 to focus on concert performances. Throat problems led to the loss of her ability to sing high pitches, so she underwent surgery in 1935 to remove a thyroid goiter, but her voice remained in decline. A year later she made an ill-advised return to opera, but it was painfully clear her best singing days were behind her. The signed photo is dated 1938 and is a must-have for opera fans. The photo comes from the personal collection of Shirley Booth, who was a famous actress in the early to mid 1900‘s. Shirley was also known as “Hazel” on the comedy show of the same name in the 1960’s. Size: 14 x 11 in.