Bust-length photograph, signed in full and inscribed to "Sharon

Ca. 255 x 202 mm.

Small label with annotation in black ink to upper left corner of verso, crossed out. "Although he occasionally appeared in Europe and South America, [Merrill] preferred to base his career at the Metropolitan Opera where he sang all the major baritone roles of the Italian and French repertories. In terms of vocal endowment, technical security and longevity he was unequalled among baritones of his generation at the Metropolitan, where he made his début as Germont in La traviata in 1945 and where he celebrated his 500th operatic performance in 1973, still singing with undiminished vigour... Merrill made numerous complete opera recordings - Toscanini chose him as his Germont and Renato (Un ballo in maschera) - and one film, and often sang on radio and television and in Fiddler on the Roof." Peter G. Davis in Grove Music Online.