Battistini (Mattia) King of Baritones and Baritone of Kings

Three exceptionally large cabinet cards of Italian baritone Mattia Battistini in stage costume by S.A. Rents & F. Schrader in St. Petersburg, Fernando Debas in Madrid and an unknown photographer, this one with caption reading "Battistini nella Linda" [Linda di Chamounix by Gaetano Donizzetti] and pen annotation to the reverse reading "Lisboa 2/ 5 anno 1889", all albumen prints, original mounts, some age-related toning and soiling, handling wear to mount corners, v.s. (3)

***Fernando Juan Bautista Debas e Dujant was a photographer who worked in Madrid between 1872 and 1902. His studio was one of the most famous in the capital and was attended by the most prominent figures of Madrid society. Debas also became the official photographer of the Spanish Royal Family.