Fortune Gallo Ballet Russe business letters

id
2051
origination
Gallo, Fortune T., 1878-1970
date statement
1940-1942 [bulk 1941]
key date
1940
identifier (local_mss)
18525
org unit
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
call number
*MGZMD 282
b-number
b19333793
total components
2
total series
0
max depth
1
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2013-04-01 15:04:22 UTC
updated
2026-06-25 15:07:55 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>".63 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"2 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}
unitid
{"value"=>"*MGZMD 282", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"18525", "type"=>"local_mss"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1940-1942", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1940/1942"}
{"value"=>"1941", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1941"}
date_inclusive_start
1940
date_inclusive_end
1942
keydate
1940
unittitle
{"value"=>"Fortune Gallo Ballet Russe business letters"}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">The New York Public Library. <span class=\"subarea\">Jerome Robbins Dance Division</span></span> <div class=\"address\"><span class=\"addressline\">New York, New York</span></div>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"Opera and ballet impresario Fortune Gallo (1878-1970) was the manager of the San Carlo Opera Company and was the tour director of Colonel Wassily de Basil's Original Ballet Russe between 1940 and 1942. This collection documents Gallo's management of the Original Ballet Russe, and includes letters, legal documents, publicity materials, and newspaper clippings related to the company."}
prefercite
{"value"=>"Fortune Gallo Ballet Russe business letters, *MGZMD 282. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts"}
origination
{"value"=>"Gallo, Fortune T., 1878-1970", "type"=>"persname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>Opera and ballet impresario Fortune Gallo (1878-1970) was born in Torremaggiore, Italy, to Tommas Gallo and Zelinda Accetturo. He immigrated to the United States in 1895, and three years later became the advance man for the Banda Rossa, a famous Italian concert band. Gallo pursued a career in performance management, and by 1912 had established the touring San Carlo Opera Company, which he operated out of New York City. Gallo managed all publicity, advance work, and business dealings for the company for over 40 years. From 1940 to 1942, Gallo served as managing director of the Chicago Opera, and as the manager and tour director of the Original Ballet Russe under Colonel Wassily de Basil (1880-1951). The Original Ballet Russe, an offshoot of Diaghilev's famed Ballet Russe and formerly called the Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo, had recently suffered the loss of their manager Sol Hurok. Gallo took over the position and set up tours for the troop in Canada and the United States. His poor relationship with the Ballet's owner led to his resignation at the end of 1941. Gallo continued operation of the San Carlo Opera Company until he disbanded the company in 1955. He died in New York City in 1970.</p>"}
custodhist
{"value"=>"<p>This collection came from Dr. George Verdak of Indianapolis, Indiana, and was sold to the New York Public Library by the dealer Golden Legend, Inc.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>This collection documents Fortune Gallo's tenure as manager and tour director of the Original Ballet Russe. The papers document a critical period in the Original Ballet Russe's history, and reveal how performance tours were organized and paid for at the time. The collection is comprised of approximately 1000 items, including 553 letters and 129 telegrams, and various legal contracts, publicity materials, and newspaper clippings related to the company.</p> <p>Among the papers are Gallo's business dealings with the Original Ballet Russe's owner Colonel Wassily de Basil, as well as communications with Ballet Russe's lawyer, and negotiations and scheduling discussions with venue managers. Other topics addressed include performance publicity, the company's travel and hotel accommodations, and contract issues with performers and their representatives. Of note are the arrangements Gallo made to transport the ballet company from Cuba, where their previous manager Sol Hurok had left them in early 1941, to New York City, and items documenting Gallo decision to cancelation the company's Christmas tour of the West Coast in 1941. A small amount of materials concern Gallo's management of the San Carlo Opera Company.</p> <p>Undated items include lists of Original Ballet Russe performers with details on each members stage name, passport name, and nationality; essays on Hurok's departure from the Original Ballet Russe and articles on Galo's role in the company; repertoire announcements; and dance performance programs.</p>"}
arrangement
{"value"=>"<p>This collection is organized chronologically.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Purchased from Golden and Legend, Inc. in March 2002.</p>"}
accessrestrict
{"value"=>"<p>To request materials, please contact the Jerome Robbins Dance Division (dance@nypl.org) inadvance.</p>"}
userestrict
{"value"=>"<p>Donor retains copyright of materials. Library policy on photocopying will apply. For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Jerome Robbins Dance Division.</p>"}
relatedmaterial
{"value"=>"<span class=\"archref\">Ellis Parker Butler papers, 1897-1936. New York Public Library Archives.</span> <span class=\"archref\">Ruth Page collection, 1918-1970. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library.</span> <span class=\"archref\">The Gallo, Fortune, 1878-1970 Papers. Italian American Collection, Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota.</span>"}
processinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Compiled by Philip Heslip.</p>"}
extent_statement
.63 linear feet (2 boxes)
date_start
1940
date_end
1942
date_bulk_start
1941
date_bulk_end
1941

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