An interesting typed letter signed from the important German composer, thanking a conductor for the successful premiere of his Zeitoper Der Zar lässt sich photographieren. Berlin, April 1, 1928. Translated from the German: "Dear Mr. Balzer, I am only just now writing to express my great appreciation for the excellent performance of the 'Czar.' I was extraordinarily surprised by the careful preparation, musical precision, and your powerful empathy for the basic musical character of my work. The fresh joy in making music with which you approached the ‘Czar’ is very much in sync with the whole nature of my music and I am happy to tell you that it was a pure pleasure for me to listen to this performance of my opera. The orchestra, under your direction, was admirable, and I ask you to pass on to the gentlemen of your orchestra my expression of gratitude. With my heartiest thanks [...] Kurt Weill." In fine condition. 8.5 x 11 inches.

Der Zar lässt sich photographieren (The Tsar Has his Photograph Taken') is an opera buffa in one act by Kurt Weill, op. 21. The German libretto was written by Georg Kaiser, and Weill composed the music in 1927. It is a Zeitoper, a genre of music theatre which used contemporary settings and characters, satiric plots which often include technology and machinery. The opera was first performed at the Neues Theater in Leipzig on 18 February 1928. Weill had intended it to be a companion piece for Der Protagonist, though it was staged at its premiere with Niccola Spinelli's A basso porto (1894).