Set Svanholm Autograph. Hand-signed Photo 1949

Set Svanholm b/w portrait photo, hand-signed in Wien in 1949

The Autograph comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Size: 3,6 x 5,5 inches, fine condition.

Set Svanholm (1904 –1964) was a Swedish operatic tenor, considered the leading Tristan and Siegfried of the first decade following World War II.

Svanholm began his musical career at the age of 17, studied latere then at the Royal University College of Music in Stockholm as well as taking singing lessons from the famous baritone John Forsell, who also taught Aksel Schiøtz and Jussi Björling.

He made his operatic debut as a baritone (Stockholm, 1930), singing the role of Silvio in Pagliacci. He sang as a baritone for several years. Then in 1936, after further study, he debuted as a tenor, singing the role of Radamès in Aida. His first Wagnerian tenor roles (Lohengrin and Siegfried) followed in 1937.

Svanholm sang regularly at the New York Metropolitan Opera (1946-1956), the Vienna State Opera (1938-42), and The Royal Opera House in London (1948-57). He became the director of the Royal Swedish Opera in 1956, a post he held until 1963.