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Creator
Mauro-Cottone, Melchiorre, 1885-1938
Call number
JPB 06-47
Physical description
6 linear feet (12 boxes)
Language
The Professional papers series contains correspondence in Italian and English (including some English translations of Italian documents). Other items in Italian may be found throughout this series as well
Preferred Citation

Melchiorre Mauro-Cottone Papers, JPB 06-47. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Repository
Music Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

This collection contains the music and professional papers of the Italian organist and composer Melchiorre Mauro-Cottone. He performed in New York from 1905 until his death in 1938. Included are correspondence, programs, clippings, photographs, writings and diplomas.

Biographical/historical information

Melchiorre Mauro-Cottone was born in Palermo, Italy, in 1883, and died in New York City on September 29th 1938. He studied under his grandfather and father Antonio Mauro, who were both organists and composers. He became organist at the Church of San Carlo Borromeo at the age of twelve. At fifteen he was made organist at St Joseph's Church, also in Palermo. He assisted his father as organist and choirmaster at the Pantheon, Church of the Dominican Fathers, and as teacher at the Royal Conservatory. He became director of the Schola Cantorum Pius X when he was eighteen.

Mauro-Cottone came to America in 1905 to serve as featured recitalist at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. He performed at Mandelssohn Hall in 1910 and served as organist and choirmaster at various Churches, including the Spanish Church, St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church and St. Ignatius Loyola. He also spent some time with the New York Central Synagogue. In 1926, after he had been a guest at the Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia, King Victor Emmanuel made him Chevalier of the Crown of Italy.

The Italian organist M.E. Bossi's American debut was accompanied by Mauro-Cottone's conducting of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He conducted the same orchestra for the Henry Savage Opera Company's premier of The Girl of the Golden West. He also taught piano at is Manhattan home. His original compositions include two Masses and several motets that are widely known throughout the United States.

Scope and arrangement

The Melchiorre Mauro-Cottone papers consist of 12 boxes, dating from 1874 to 1982. Seven boxes contain written music, largely in the hand of Mauro-Cottone. There is a large collection of hymns and other music for Roman Catholic Masses. Some published sheet music is included, as well as an unpublished book entitled Piano and Theory in Concise Form. Correspondence is mainly on professional matters, and programs and clippings relate to various performances. There are a number of signed portraits from fellow performers, and three oversized diplomas.

The Melchiorre Mauro-Cottone papers are arranged in three series:

  • Series I: Professional Papers
    1874-1981

    This series consists of correspondence, programs, clippings, photographs and writings. Material dates from the span of Mauro-Cottone's career and beyond. Correspondence from fellow performers is from both Italy and the US. Programs include Mauro-Cottone's major American performances, and clippings include reviews of these. There are also photograph portraits of colleagues and an unpublished book under 'Writings'.

  • Series II: Music Scores
    1894-1941

    The majority of the music is in the hand of Mauro-Cottone. There are large number of hymns and other pieces for Roman Catholic Masses. There are some songs for children and Christmas carols, as well as a number of exercises for organ. A large number of pieces are for organ, but also included are vocal scores and music for strings. Some published sheet music is included, including Ave Maria and Jesus Christus.

  • Series III: Oversized: Certificates
    1904-1922

    This includes three certificates presented to Mauro-Cottone. There are diplomas from Academia Filarmonica Siciliana and R. Conservatoria, and an honorary doctorate from the American University.

Administrative information

Processing information

Processed by Noel Agnew; Machine-readable finding aid created by Noel Agnew.

Using the collection

Location

Music Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Music Division

Access restrictions

Photocopying prohibited.