Berniece Hall papers, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
African-American soprano soloist, Berniece Hall made her Broadway debut in Finian's Rainbow (1953), and from 1956 to 1958 she performed in De Paur's Opera Gala. She also performed with Voices Inc. in Trumpets of the Lord (1963) at the French National Festival of the Arts in Paris in 1966. After the Festival, Hall remained in Italy and toured several other European countries, performing in a variety of venues. She lived in Italy for 4 years returning to live permanently in the United States in 1970. The Berniece Hall Papers document her professional career in North America and Europe. The Personal papers are comprised of biographical information, correspondence from friends and well-wishers, and financial records. The Professional papers contain correspondence pertaining to Hall's professional life, performance schedules for various events, some materials pertaining to Voices, Inc., scripts, song lists and lyrics, programs, posters and newspaper clippings.
Berniece Hall, soprano, was born in Philadelphia on July 2, 1920. She considered herself a New Yorker however, as she was raised in New York from the age of 10. Hall was introduced to the world of music through the glee club and school productions. She also studied voice with Hortense Love, Robert Tabori and William Hermann. After she won an amateur contest at a local club her singing career took off. In the 1940s and early 1950s, she sang in clubs and with concert groups and choral ensembles such as the Eva Jessye and the Hall Johnson concert choirs. From 1956 to 1958 she performed in De Paur's Opera Gala (1956) which featured notable soloists Lawrence Winters, Inez Matthews and Luther Saxon. Hall made her Broadway debut in Finian's Rainbow (1953) performing the role of Sharon Lonnergan to high acclaim. She also performed in summer stock versions of the show in theatres around the United States.
In the 1960s, Hall worked in the editorial department of the Negro Heritage Library, New York. She joined Voices Inc., a musical theatre group from Newark, New Jersey, which was invited to perform Trumpets of the Lord (1963) in Paris at the French National Festival of the Arts from May 13-26, 1966 under the auspices of the Association pour la rencontre des cultures. After the Festival she toured Italy with Gino Bramieri performing at many venues. She then joined the Folk Studio Singers in Rome and appeared in concerts and performances in Italy, Greece, Paris, Sweden, Germany and Denmark from 1966 to 1969. Hall returned to the United States in 1968 on an invitation to perform in another Trumpets of the Lord tour, a National Education Television version of which was taped in Ontario, Canada. After living in Italy for 4 years, she returned to live permanently in the United States in 1970.
Hall's professional career slowed down in the mid 1970s, and in 1978 she began working for the New York City Housing Authority, retiring from there in 1994. Throughout her life Hall continued to perform at church events, community concerts and celebratory events for various organizations. She participated in numerous programs of the Memorial Baptist Church and Mother A. M. E Zion Church in New York City. Berniece Hall passed away on February 20, 2004 while at the Dewitt Rehab and Health Care Center in New York City.
The Berniece Hall Papers span the years 1948 to 1997 and document her professional career as a soprano soloist in Europe as well as North America. Approximately one third of the collection provides a glimpse into her personal life.
The Berniece Hall papers are arranged in two series:
Series consists of biographical information, correspondence, financial records, and miscellaneous materials.
Series consists of seven subseries, illustrates Hall's performance history.
Donated by Berniece Hall, December 13, 2002.
Processed by J. Modeste, July 2009
The item(s) listed below have been sent to the division indicated, either to be retained or disposed of there. Any items that should receive special disposition are clearly marked.
Schomburg Photographs and Print Division: 14 photographs, 1 album (63 photographs)
General Research and Reference Division: 6 books and 1 periodical
Other: Programs to MARB Division, Program Collection