Research Catalog

Title

Marcella Sembrich papers, 1790-1988 (bulk 1885-1930).

Author

Sembrich, Marcella, 1858-1935.

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827.
• Bori, Lucrezia, 1887-1960.
• Erler, Hermann, 1844-1918.
• Farrar, Geraldine, 1882-1967.
• Giannini, Dusolina, 1902-1986.
• Gounod, Charles, 1818-1893.
• Hanslick, Eduard, 1825-1904.
• Hofmann, Josef, 1876-1957.
• Jeritza, Maria, 1887-
• Krehbiel, Henry Edward, 1854-1923.
• Lashanska, Hulda.
• Lehmann, Lilli, 1848-1929.
• Mahler, Gustav, 1860-1911.
• Paderewski, Ignace Jan, 1860-1941.
• Patti, Adelina, 1843-1919.
• Puccini, Giacomo, 1858-1924.
• Stengel, Wilhelm.
• Twain, Mark, 1835-1910.
• Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883.
• Waxel, Platon Lubovitch de.

Description

ca. 75 linear ft.

Summary

The correspondence, papers, posters, and programs in this collection represent the career and activities of Marcella Sembrich and her family from 1851 to 1988. The collection consists of an extensive amount of correspondence with the leading musical figures of the day; posters, concert advertisements and programs from Sembrich (and other) performances throughout her career; and memorabilia including an autograph album with signatures and drawings of famous musicians and others. Series IX "Photographs" also includes some 15-20 original graphic art works among its 2284 items. Subjects include Sembrich, places she lived, places she performed, and people with whom she performed. The sheet music and musical scores (Series X) are currently being processed.

Subjects

• Singing
• Schumann-Heink, Ernestine, 1861-1936
• Caruso, Enrico, 1873-1921
• Lake Placid (N.Y.)
• Costume
• Giannini, Dusolina, 1902-1986
• Musical scores
• Correspondence
• Operas > Performances
• Eells, Harriet
• Singers
• Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.)
• Programs
• Sembrich, Marcella, 1858-1935
• Photoprints
• Juilliard School of Music
• Sheet music
• Hofmann, Josef, 1876-1957
• Scrapbooks
• Curtis Institute of Music
• Paderewski, Ignace Jan, 1860-1941
• Singing > Instruction and study
• Harvey, Florence
• Gluck, Alma, 1884-1938
• Mario, Queena, 1896-1951
• Engravings
• Drawings
• Nice (France)
• Autographs
• Citizenship papers
• Posters
• Photomechanical reproductions
• Bolton (N.Y.)
• Sopranos (Singers)
• Portraits
• Clippings

Genre/Form

• Autographs.
• Citizenship papers.
• Clippings.
• Correspondence.
• Drawings.
• Engravings.
• Musical scores.
• Photoprints.
• Photomechanical reproductions.
• Portraits.
• Posters.
• Programs.
• Scrapbooks.
• Sheet music.

Biography (note)

• Marcella Sembrich was a Polish born coloratura soprano who sang leading roles in European and American opera during her highly successful career. From 1898 to 1909 she was a regular member of the Metropolitan Opera Company, New York. She continued performing as a concert singer after her retirement from the operatic stage. Sembrich also became an instructor of singing at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School of Music, becoming mentor to many pupils who later became famous in their own right.

Language (note)

• The predominant language is English, with large amounts in German, Polish, and French. There is also material in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. Much of the material in German and Polish is accompanied by an English translation.

Indexes/Finding Aids (note)

• There is one finding aid for Series I-VIII, and another for Series IX.

Provenance (note)

• Access to Series X is restricted pending processing. A Beethoven signature and a Wagner document are housed in the Locked Case, with restricted access.

Processing Action (note)

• Accessioned
• Cataloged

Call Number

JPB 91-94

OCLC

NYPW92-A4

Author

Sembrich, Marcella, 1858-1935.

Title

Marcella Sembrich papers, 1790-1988 (bulk 1885-1930).

Additional Formats

Scrapbooks available on microfilm: *ZB-2379.

Biography

Marcella Sembrich was a Polish born coloratura soprano who sang leading roles in European and American opera during her highly successful career. From 1898 to 1909 she was a regular member of the Metropolitan Opera Company, New York. She continued performing as a concert singer after her retirement from the operatic stage. Sembrich also became an instructor of singing at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School of Music, becoming mentor to many pupils who later became famous in their own right.

Language

The predominant language is English, with large amounts in German, Polish, and French. There is also material in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. Much of the material in German and Polish is accompanied by an English translation.

Indexes

There is one finding aid for Series I-VIII, and another for Series IX.

Provenance

Access to Series X is restricted pending processing. A Beethoven signature and a Wagner document are housed in the Locked Case, with restricted access.

Connect to:

Request Access to Music & Recorded Sound Division Special Collections material

NYPL Digital Collections

Finding Aid

Occupation

Sopranos (Singers).

Added Author

Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827.

Bori, Lucrezia, 1887-1960.

Erler, Hermann, 1844-1918.

Farrar, Geraldine, 1882-1967.

Giannini, Dusolina, 1902-1986.

Gounod, Charles, 1818-1893.

Hanslick, Eduard, 1825-1904.

Hofmann, Josef, 1876-1957.

Jeritza, Maria, 1887-

Krehbiel, Henry Edward, 1854-1923.

Lashanska, Hulda.

Lehmann, Lilli, 1848-1929.

Mahler, Gustav, 1860-1911.

Paderewski, Ignace Jan, 1860-1941.

Patti, Adelina, 1843-1919.

Puccini, Giacomo, 1858-1924.

Stengel, Wilhelm.

Twain, Mark, 1835-1910.

Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883.

Waxel, Platon Lubovitch de.

Research Call Number

JPB 91-94