Weinstock, Herbert, 1905-
Music Division | JPB 92-2
25 linear feet
Herbert Henry Weinstock (1905-1971), an American writer and editor, specialized in the field of early 19th-century Italian opera. Between 1935 and 1971, Weinstock wrote prolifically, particularly on musical subjects, while also working as a...
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Herbert Henry Weinstock (1905-1971), an American writer and editor, specialized in the field of early 19th-century Italian opera. Between 1935 and 1971, Weinstock wrote prolifically, particularly on musical subjects, while also working as a publisher's editor. In this role, Weinstock was brought into formative contact with some of the most important musical writers of his day; he edited Stravinsky and Craft's Expositions, for example, and translated La Grange's Life of Mahler. He was also New York correspondent of Opera from December 1966 until his death and contributed reviews, programs, and articles to numerous publications. By his own tally, he contributed over 300 articles to the Encyclopedia Americana, and he completed, before his death, the revised entry on Opera for the Encyclopaedia Britannica (a typescript of which is in the collection). Weinstock's work also includes a number of translations of Spanish and Italian works, and some material for children. Arguably Weinstock's most important books were his last trilogy of musical biographies: Donizetti and the World of Opera in Italy, Paris, and Vienna (1963), Rossini, a Biography (1968), and Vincenzo Bellini, His Life and His Operas (1971). His oeuvre also includes hundreds of articles and program notes and over two dozen books (original and translated), most of which were translated into several languages and issued in multiple (sometimes revised) editions. The Herbert Weinstock Collection consists of professional and personal papers and a small number of three-dimensional memorabilia belonging to Herbert Weinstock, members of Weinstock's family, and Weinstock's long-time companion, Ben Meiselman. The professional papers, which span the years 1750-1989, were produced and collected mainly by Weinstock in connection with his research, particularly his work on early 19th-century opera. The range of collected materials is broad, and sometimes unexpected, as in the case of a facsimile manuscript essay by Wagner on Bellini's Norma, but the largest group consists of facsimiles of over 1200 letters to and from Rossini and members of his circle. The professional papers also include a number of Weinstock's own writings on both musical and non-musical subjects, including a hand-corrected typescript of his biography of Rossini, as well as writings by other persons, perhaps most notably a hand-corrected typescript of one of the Stravinsky-Craft books, music by Carlos Chavez, and the typescript of a long article by Philip Gossett. Weinstock's voluminous correspondence includes letters from many important figures of the musical and publishing worlds of his time, including Guglielmo Barblan, Maria Callas, Warren Chappell, Carlos Chavez, Aaron Copland, Karl Geiringer, Philip Gossett, Newell Jenkins, Friedrich Lippman, Andrew Porter, Harold Rosenthal, Beverly Sills, Igor Stravinsky, and Virgil Thomson.
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Schang, F. C.
Music Division | JPB 06-57
0.42 linear feet (1 box)
The Frederick C. Schang Papers document the collecting interests and professional relationships of a prominent agent in the music industry during the 1930s-1970s.
Italian Opera Company (New York, N.Y.).
Music Division | JPB 91-17
[3] p, 41 cm; [3] p, 41 cm
Document in ink inscribed "Statement and voucher from Mr. Goachino [i.e. Giacomo] Montresor, Janr. 17, 1833. Italian Opera", and beginning, "The evening before the benefit of Sigr. Fornasari in Decbr 1832, the Italian Opera Company refused to...
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Document in ink inscribed "Statement and voucher from Mr. Goachino [i.e. Giacomo] Montresor, Janr. 17, 1833. Italian Opera", and beginning, "The evening before the benefit of Sigr. Fornasari in Decbr 1832, the Italian Opera Company refused to appear in public unless the manager would induce some responsible person to receive the proceeds instead of Signor Antonio Rocca, late cashier of the company.".
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Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883
Music Division | JOB 91-38
1 item
As a young man, the German composer Richard Wagner was in love with actress Minna Planer who later became his first wife. Minna's standing as first tragic artist in the Magdeburg theater was being threatened by a Mme. Grabowsky. Bethmann was...
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As a young man, the German composer Richard Wagner was in love with actress Minna Planer who later became his first wife. Minna's standing as first tragic artist in the Magdeburg theater was being threatened by a Mme. Grabowsky. Bethmann was director of the theater. A scribbled draft in the hand of Richard Wagner of a letter for Minna Planer to send to Director Bethmann, demanding her rights as first tragic actress in the Magdeburg theater. The draft is written on the verso of a discarded letter, a rejection by Minna to an unnamed suitor. In the remaining space on the same sheet of paper, Natalie Planer (Minna's illegitimate daughter) has written an explanation of Richard Wagner's draft.
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Bruch, Max, 1838-1920
Music Division | JOB 91-55 no. 2
1 item
Max Bruch was a German composer. ALS. Signed: M. Bruch.
Cecchetti, Enrico, 1850-1928.
Music Division | JOB 76-12
21 folders in box, 38 cm; 21 folders in box, 38 cm
Fryer, Katharine Homer, 1907-
Music Division | JPB 09-3
58.3 linear feet (84 boxes)
The Louise Homer Collection extensively documents the lives and careers of Louise and Sidney Homer, as well as the history of their extended family. It was assembled by Katharine Homer Fryer, one of the Homers' twin daughters. The collection...
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The Louise Homer Collection extensively documents the lives and careers of Louise and Sidney Homer, as well as the history of their extended family. It was assembled by Katharine Homer Fryer, one of the Homers' twin daughters. The collection contains correspondence, family papers, music scores, publicity materials, clippings, concert programs, scrapbooks, photographs and posters.
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Berlioz, Hector, 1803-1869
Music Division | JOB 91-51
1 item
Hector Berlioz was a French composer. ALS.
Berlioz, Hector, 1803-1869
Music Division | JOB 91-52
1 item
Hector Berlioz was a French composer. In 1837 the Minister of Fine Arts commissioned him to compose a Requiem Mass to be performed on the 7th anniversary of the heroes of July 28, 1830. He finished his Grande Messe des Morts on June 29, but days...
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Hector Berlioz was a French composer. In 1837 the Minister of Fine Arts commissioned him to compose a Requiem Mass to be performed on the 7th anniversary of the heroes of July 28, 1830. He finished his Grande Messe des Morts on June 29, but days before the occasion, the bureaus cancelled the ceremony. The recipient, Pierre-Louis-Philippe Dietsch, was maitre de chapelle at St.-Eustache, and later at Ste.-Madeleine. ALS. Berlioz tells his choral conductor Dietsch that the ceremony for which the Requiem is being rehearsed has been cancelled, and says not to bother to come to the Conservatory with his "gamins.".
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Massenet, Jules, 1842-1912
Music Division | JOB 91-55 no. 1
1 item
Jules Massenet was a French composer. ALS. Signed: Massenet.
Spencer, Sarah, Lady
Music Division | JOB 91-18
3 items
2 of the letters send thanks through Lady Banks to Dr. Burney for loans of music including work of Pfeiffer. The other letter promises to return 2 music books lent by Lady Banks.
Gounod, Charles, 1818-1893
Music Division | JOB 86-3
15 folders in 1 box, 40 x 27 x 8 cm; 15 folders in 1 box, 40 x 27 x 8 cm
During his London sojourn, 1870-75, French composer Charles Gounod lived at the residence of English soprano Georgina Weldon. About 300 letters mostly to Charles Gounod or Georgina Weldon.
Harkness Ballet Foundation
Music Division | JPB 87-32
ca. 50 cu. ft. (144 boxes)
Established in New York in 1961 with Rebekah Harkness as president, the Harkness Ballet Foundation sponsored Robbins's Ballet:USA in its European tour, 1961, and the Joffrey Ballet, 1962-4. 179 compositions and 9 arrangements by Rebekah Harkness;...
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Established in New York in 1961 with Rebekah Harkness as president, the Harkness Ballet Foundation sponsored Robbins's Ballet:USA in its European tour, 1961, and the Joffrey Ballet, 1962-4. 179 compositions and 9 arrangements by Rebekah Harkness; and 90 works of various composers used for ballet.
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Smith, Carleton Sprague, 1905-. Collector
Music Division | JOB 93-1
46 folders of music, 38 cm. and smaller; 46 folders of music, 38 cm. and smaller
Dr. Carleton Sprague Smith toured Brazil between the 1940s-1950s as a form of cultural diplomacy and it is suspected that he acquired this collection of music on one of these tours. The collection primarily consists of handwritten parts and...
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Dr. Carleton Sprague Smith toured Brazil between the 1940s-1950s as a form of cultural diplomacy and it is suspected that he acquired this collection of music on one of these tours. The collection primarily consists of handwritten parts and fragments for music to be performed as part of Catholic church services, identified as being from Mariana, Brazil.
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Viotti, Giovanni Battista, 1755-1824
Music Division | *ZB-4141
.16 cu. ft.; 1 microfilm reel
The collection consists of 3 undated letters and 12 dated letters from Viotti (1801-1821), all in French ; 20 undated and 34 dated letters (1793-1822) to Viotti and several others from various correspondents, chiefly in French with several letters...
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The collection consists of 3 undated letters and 12 dated letters from Viotti (1801-1821), all in French ; 20 undated and 34 dated letters (1793-1822) to Viotti and several others from various correspondents, chiefly in French with several letters in English or Italian. The earliest dated letter (1793) is from Pugnani. Muzio Clementi, Johann Dussek, and Ferdinando Pa̋er are represented by one letter each. Two unsigned notes are attributed to Mme. de Staël, and 2 unsigned letters, to Stéphanie Félicité Genlis, the author of La duchesse de La Vallière. One letter is signed "Albertine de Staël" (duchesse de Broglie). Several items in 1821 relate to Viotti's having been named Chevalier de l'Ordre royal de la Légion d'honneur. Many letters are from and to the Chinnery family with little musical content. Viotti often signed letters "Amico" or "L'amico.".
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Abell, Arthur M., 1868-1958
Music Division | JOB 88-4
6 cubic ft. (17 boxes)
Correspondence (chiefly 1905-1958) including ca. 1000 autograph letters collected by Mr. Abell; mss. of articles and book chapters; concert programs; newspaper and magazine clippings; calling cards; photographs and other pictures including more...
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Correspondence (chiefly 1905-1958) including ca. 1000 autograph letters collected by Mr. Abell; mss. of articles and book chapters; concert programs; newspaper and magazine clippings; calling cards; photographs and other pictures including more than 150 portraits of musicians, many of them autographed; and other material. Includes extensive correspondence from Leopold Auer, Max Bruch, Serge Koussevitzky, Isidore Philipp, Xaver Scharwenka; and 6 or more letters each from Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler, Willy Burmester, Carl Flesch, Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Rudolf Ganz, Etelka Gerster-Gardini, Arthur Hartmann, Hugo Heerman, Ernst Hutcheson, Hugo Kaun, Juan Manén, Robert Schauffler, Arnold T. Schwab, Christian Sinding, Theodore Spiering, Richard Strauss, Amadeo von der Hoya, and Anton Witek.
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Music Division | JPB 78-35
35 items, 28-34 cm; 35 items, 28-34 cm
Kalkbrenner, Friedrich Wilhelm Michael, 1785-1849
Music Division | JOB 91-11
1 item
Author and recipient were pianist-composers active in Europe. Kalkbrenner asks Moscheles to sign a receipt for the sale of 2 concertos and gives news: music of Neate and Potter is being played by the Philharmonic Society rather than Beethoven...
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Author and recipient were pianist-composers active in Europe. Kalkbrenner asks Moscheles to sign a receipt for the sale of 2 concertos and gives news: music of Neate and Potter is being played by the Philharmonic Society rather than Beethoven symphonies; Cramer just missed breaking his thumb in a freak accident; Madame Pasta had a successful debut; and Kiesewetter played like a demon.
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Ries, Ferdinand, 1784-1838
Music Division | JOB 91-8 (Locked case)
1 item
Ferdinand Ries was a German pianist and composer. Ries speaks of an impending visit and concert and asks for help finding a position.
Gounod, Charles, 1818-1893
Music Division | JOB 91-13 (Locked case)
1 item
Charles Gounod was a French composer. Sapho, his first opera, was first performed in 1851. His best known opera is Faust. The letter, beginning "Cher Enfant," is written to an unnamed young singer. Gounod congratulates her for the opportunity of...
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Charles Gounod was a French composer. Sapho, his first opera, was first performed in 1851. His best known opera is Faust. The letter, beginning "Cher Enfant," is written to an unnamed young singer. Gounod congratulates her for the opportunity of studying the part of Sapho under Pauline Viardot, who created the role. He discusses proposed cuts in the performance and gives advice about interpretation. He also mentions that he has just finished the finale of the 3rd act of Faust.
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Wagner, Minna, 1809-1866
Music Division | JOB 91-33
19 items
Anonymous ms. poem addressed to Minna Planer as Sena in Solomon's Judgment, 1833 Feb. 14 ; 15 ALS, including 2 from Anton Hübsch of Königsberg, offering engagements at various theaters in Germany, 1833 Dec. 23 - 1836 March 6 ; 1 ALS from Minna...
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Anonymous ms. poem addressed to Minna Planer as Sena in Solomon's Judgment, 1833 Feb. 14 ; 15 ALS, including 2 from Anton Hübsch of Königsberg, offering engagements at various theaters in Germany, 1833 Dec. 23 - 1836 March 6 ; 1 ALS from Minna Planer, Magdeburg, 1833 Dec. 27, to an unspecified theater director stating her conditions ; contract between Minna Planer and Anton Hübsch of the Königsberg Theater, 1836 March 28 ; newspaper, Unterhaltungsblätter, Königsberg, 1836 Nov. 5, containing an article on Minna Planer as an actress. A draft letter for Minna Planer in the hand of Richard Wagner is cataloged separately (NYPW91-A75). A ms. stagebook with Minna Planer's silent part in Auber's Die Stumme von Portici has been cataloged separately in the Books File (NYPG91-B1045).
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Costa, Michael, 1808-1884
Music Division | JOB 91-81
1 item
Sir Michael Costa was an Italian-English conductor and composer of operas. On paper headed "Her Majesty's Theatre," Mr. B. Lumley, director of Italian Opera, and Mr. Costa agree to 9 articles, including terms under which Mr. Costa will conduct...
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Sir Michael Costa was an Italian-English conductor and composer of operas. On paper headed "Her Majesty's Theatre," Mr. B. Lumley, director of Italian Opera, and Mr. Costa agree to 9 articles, including terms under which Mr. Costa will conduct operas and concerts and under which he will compose and produce a new opera. The manuscript is in ink and is signed only by M. Costa.
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Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883.
Music Division | JOB 91-32
11 items
9 programs and 2 correction notices for concerts in Dresden, Leipzig, and Paris, including performances of Richard Wagner's Overture in D minor; Symphony; overtures to Columbus, Die Feen, Tannhäuser, and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg; and 2 arias...
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9 programs and 2 correction notices for concerts in Dresden, Leipzig, and Paris, including performances of Richard Wagner's Overture in D minor; Symphony; overtures to Columbus, Die Feen, Tannhäuser, and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg; and 2 arias from Rienzi.
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Lambs (Theatrical club : New York, N.Y.)
Music Division | JPB 06-1
183 linear feet (257 boxes)
Established in New York City in 1874, the Lambs Club is the oldest professional theater club in the United States. The Lambs Club scores consists of the organization's library of published and manuscript music, representing a range of popular...
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Established in New York City in 1874, the Lambs Club is the oldest professional theater club in the United States. The Lambs Club scores consists of the organization's library of published and manuscript music, representing a range of popular music, both vocal and instrumental, from the late 19th century up to about the 1960's. There are many pieces by prominent former members of the Lambs such as John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin, as well as much original music composed for Lambs Gambols and other events by members like Fred Hillebrand, Adam Carroll, Sam Stept, James Caruso, and Eddie Weber, just to name a few. There are orchestra arrangements for the Lambs celebration for Ed Sullivan, scores of incidental music for Lambs TV, and in general, a representative cross-section of popular music and its creators particularly from the early 20th century.
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Music Division | M-Artwork
3 linear feet (3 boxes, 13 oversized folders)
Collection includes original artwork and hand-colored prints received by the Music Division from various sources between 1930 and 2010.
Horne, Marilyn
Music Division | JPB 19-05
87 linear feet : 175 boxes
Marilyn Berneice "Jackie" Horne (b. 1934) is one of America's most famous operatic mezzo-sopranos. The Marilyn Horne Score Collection contains scores used during her career as a versatile performer and teacher. The collection also holds some...
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Marilyn Berneice "Jackie" Horne (b. 1934) is one of America's most famous operatic mezzo-sopranos. The Marilyn Horne Score Collection contains scores used during her career as a versatile performer and teacher. The collection also holds some memorabilia, such as autographed materials, and correspondence.
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Toscanini, Arturo, 1867-1957
Music Division | JPB 90-1
330 linear ft.
Arturo Toscanini was born in Parma, Italy, on March 25, 1867, and died in Riverdale, New York, on January 16, 1957. Many regard him as one of the world's greatest conductors. In addition, Toscanini's anti-Fascist stance during World War II...
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Arturo Toscanini was born in Parma, Italy, on March 25, 1867, and died in Riverdale, New York, on January 16, 1957. Many regard him as one of the world's greatest conductors. In addition, Toscanini's anti-Fascist stance during World War II distinguished him as a symbol of freedom and humanity. His extraordinarily long career began in 1886, when Italian orchestral conductors were still relatively few in number, and extended into the 1950s, by which time his radio and television broadcasts had transformed him into a cultural icon. The Toscanini Legacy papers form a portion of the Toscanini Legacy housed at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The other major portion, of sound recordings, is housed in NYPL's Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound. The papers in the Music Division consist of music scores and orchestral parts with and without markings by Arturo Toscanini and others (including composers in some instances), correspondence, photographs, programs, clippings, books, newspapers, brochures, periodicals, scrapbooks, and medical and financial records. Subjects include the various musical organizations in Europe and the United States with which Toscanini was associated, and his anti-Fascist activities. The hundreds of correspondents include family members, composers, performers, conductors, and music critics; as well as Italian exiles, and U.S. and Italian political figures.
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Patten, Grace Bigelow
Music Division | JPB 06-51
26.9 linear feet (22 boxes)
The Mrs. William Patten Papers are comprised mainly of unbound scrapbook leaves containing press clippings and other materials relating to musicians active during the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. It is probable that the...
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The Mrs. William Patten Papers are comprised mainly of unbound scrapbook leaves containing press clippings and other materials relating to musicians active during the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. It is probable that the materials were compiled by Grace Bigelow Patten, the wife of the editor William Patten (1868-1936). She wrote at least one of the stories which appeared in the ten-volume Junior Classics series edited by her husband and is also is known to have published magazine pieces.
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Schumer, Harry G
Music Division | JOB 89-24
Harry G. Schumer (1893-1971) was Orchestra Librarian of the Metropolitan Opera from 1938 to 1968. Schumer's private collection of printed and manuscript full scores, vocal scores, stage band scores, and parts to Italian, French, German, Russian,...
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Harry G. Schumer (1893-1971) was Orchestra Librarian of the Metropolitan Opera from 1938 to 1968. Schumer's private collection of printed and manuscript full scores, vocal scores, stage band scores, and parts to Italian, French, German, Russian, and Irish operas and operettas. Includes scores and parts copied by Schumer himself and by 19th century professional copyists, and Schumer's performance notes. Composers represented by more than 10 items include: Bellini, Donizetti, Gounod, Massenet, Puccini, Rossini, Johann Strauss, and Verdi. Many items had also been cataloged separately in earlier years.
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Luening, Otto, 1900-1996
Music Division | JPB 94-07
98.33 linear feet (270 boxes). 612 audio recordings. 1 moving image recording
Otto Luening (1900-1996) was a noted American composer, teacher, conductor, and flutist. A pioneer in the use of recorded and electronic sound in composition, he also co-founded the American Music Center and the recording label Composers...
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Otto Luening (1900-1996) was a noted American composer, teacher, conductor, and flutist. A pioneer in the use of recorded and electronic sound in composition, he also co-founded the American Music Center and the recording label Composers Recordings Inc. The Otto Luening papers, dating from 1800 to 2019, document Luening's life; his career as composer, pedagogue, performer, and conductor; and his family history through professional and personal files, scores, audio and video recordings, and family papers.
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