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Collection of Samuel Barber materials

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Held at: Curtis Institute of Music Archives [Contact Us]1720 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Curtis Institute of Music Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
MSS 01
Repository:
Curtis Institute of Music Archives
Extent:
0.3 linear feet ((1) archival box)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Collection of Samuel Barber materials (MSS 01), Curtis Institute of Music Archives.
Date:
1919-2001 (inclusive)
Creator:
Barber, Samuel, 1910 - 1981, Cole, Orlando, 1908 - 2010, Bartholomew, Frank, and Green, William Hatten
Abstract:
The collection of Samuel Barber materials includes letters from Samuel Barber, autograph manuscripts, programs, clippings, photographs, and miscellaneous materials concerning Barber, originating from multiple sources. Autograph music manuscripts are kept in the Curtis Institute of Music Special Collections.

Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music from 1924 to 1934, studying composition with Rosario Scalero, piano with Isabelle Vengerova (1924-1926), and voice with Emilio de Gogorza.

In 1928, Scalero accepted italian-born student Gian-Carlo Menotti who became Barber's colleague and life partner. The two composers had a very close relationship with Curtis founder, Mary Louise Curtis. They corresponded often, and she assisted them professionally and financially at times. Her assistance enabled them to purchase their home, known as Capricorn, in Mt. Kisco, New York which became a meeting place for artists and intellectuals. After Barber and Menotti separated , the house was sold in 1973.

The collection is arranged into four series: 1. Orlando Cole gift 2. Mrs. Jules Bernard gift 3. Frank Bartholomew gift 4. Miscellaneous materials

Donated by Orlando Cole, Mrs. Jules Bernard, and Lynne Bartholomew.

Correspondence between Samuel Barber and Mary Louise Curtis Bok can be found in the Founder's Papers (AD 1). Clippings concerning Samuel Barber may be found in the Vertical Files. Manuscripts and autographs are kept in the Special Collections.

People

Publisher
Curtis Institute of Music Archives
Finding Aid Author
Barbara Benedett
Finding Aid Date
2017
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research

Use Restrictions

This collection may have copyright restrictions and is to be used for research purposes only. Please contact the Curtis Archives with requests for copies and authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material. Use/performance of autograph manuscripts requires permission from G. Schirmer, Inc. publishing company.

Collection Inventory

Letters from Samuel Barber to Orlando Cole, 1936-1937, 1969-1974 and undated.
Box 1 Folder 1
Description

Barber discusses works that he is composing or revising, including his first Symphony, his String Quartet, and his opera Antony and Cleopatra, and recordings of his works, including one of Dover Beach. In addition, he writes about concerts, in some of which he is a performer, and plans for concerts, rehearsal arrangements, and reactions to different concerts. The correspondence contains references to Gian Carlo Menotti and his works, and includes one letter by Menotti, finished by Barber.

Letter from Samuel Barber to Mrs. Jules Bernard, 1970 May 4.
Box 1 Folder 2
Program of performances by Barber (baritone), West Chester, Pa, 1929 Apr 25.
Box 1 Folder 2
Programs of performances composed by Barber and performed in the Villa Aurealia, Rome, 1936, Apr 22 and Nov 16.
Box 1 Folder 2

Letters to Frank Bartholomew (1952-1959) and to William Hatton Green (1935, 1950), 1935-1959.
Box 1 Folder 3
Articles and clippings, 1935-1961.
Box 1 Folder 4
Programs, 1919-1950.
Box 1 Folder 5
Portrait photographs of Barber, color slides and photographs of Capricorn, 1924-1956.
Box 1 Folder 6 Drawer A1 Folder 326

Letter from Samuel Baron to Sol Schoenbach (photocopy), with letter from Robert Cole (2000), 1989, 2000.
Box 1 Folder 7
Program of the World Premiere of Vanessa, autographed by Eleanor Steber, Rosalind Elias, and Regina Resnik, 1958 Jan 15.
Box 1 Folder 8
Set of commemorative stamps "Classical Composers Conductors" in the "Legends of American Music Series", 1997.
Box 1 Folder 9
Samuel Barber, by Nathan Broder (New York: G. Schirmer, Inc.), 1954.
Box 1 Folder 10
Miscellaneous clippings, c. 1938-58.
Box 1 Folder 11
Miscellaneous programs and notes, 1983-2001.
Box 1 Folder 12

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