The British conductor and cellist is shown conducting in this attractive original black-and-white photograph, which he has signed in white across the bottom.

Although he conducted and recorded with all the major international orchestras, John Barbirolli is best remembered as the director of Manchester's Hallé Orchestra. The ensemble nearly disbanded during World War II, having dwindled to just thirty members because so many had left to serve, and Barbirolli was called to save it. Upon assuming the post, he immediately held auditions to rebuild, willing to accept even talented amateurs to bolster the ranks. The orchestra quickly returned to its old form with Barbirolli's guidance. He remained loyal to the orchestra for the rest of his career, on multiple occasions declining prominent positions--including the directorship of the London Symphony!--to stay in Manchester.