Guide to the San Diego Opera Guild Records
© Copyright 2011 Special Collections & University Archives. All rights reserved.
2011-05-03
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Guide to the San Diego Opera Guild Records
1939/2000
Special Collections & University Archives
Overview of the Collection
Collection Title: San Diego Opera Guild Records
Dates: 1939-2000
Bulk Dates: 1955-1974
Identification: MS-0476
Creator:
San Diego Opera Guild
Physical Description: 25.59 linear ft
Language of Materials:
English
Repository:
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Historical Note:
The San Diego Opera Guild (SDOG) was a non-profit organization founded in 1950 by thirty San Diegans interested in enriching
San Diego's cultural community through promoting appreciation and support for opera, especially music, drama and other associated
performing arts. Starting in 1951, the SDOG sponsored performances in San Diego of San Francisco Opera Company productions.
Sponsoring between one and three performances a year, the productions were so well received by the local community that the
arrangement continued for 15 years.
In 1963 a committee comprised of SDOG members studied the feasibility of ending the relationship with San Francisco Opera,
and instead forming an opera company in San Diego. With financial difficulties forcing the San Francisco Opera Company to
cancel its tours, as well as the opening of the new Civic Theatre in San Diego scheduled for 1965, the Guild voted to establish
the San Diego Opera (SDO) in 1964. They hired Walter Herbert, formerly of the San Francisco Opera and Houston Grand Opera,
and an internationally-recognized conductor and opera administrator, as Artistic Director. Herbert became General Director
in 1969.
The new San Diego Opera's activities were largely governed by the San Diego Opera Guild during these years. In 1966 a separate
Board, San Diego Opera, Inc., responsible to the Guild Board, was created to replace the Guild's Production Committee, and
handle all problems related to the production of operas, including fiscal and liability issues. The Guild Board continued
to work at such activities as fundraising with the Combined Arts and Education Council of San Diego County (COMBO), outreach
and education especially via the Youth Opera Program, and numerous other outreach programs and projects.
By 1970, the Guild boasted over 2300 members. In 1974, with the San Diego Opera experiencing steady success and sell-out
performances, the San Diego Opera Guild was dissolved in the interest of streamlining operations and introducing public memberships.
The San Diego Opera Association, a new entity which took on the responsibilities both of the Guild and of San Diego Opera,
Inc., was formed at that time.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Genre/Form of Material:
Ephemera
Organizational Records
Photographs
Publications
Slides
Administrative Information
Custodial History:
The San Diego Opera Guild Collection was originally donated to the San Diego History Center from 1984 to 2008. In 2008 it
was transferred by the San Diego History Center to San Diego State University Library and Information Access.
Accruals:
2008-029
Conditions Governing Use:
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Conditions Governing Access:
This collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation:
Identification of item, folder title, box number, San Diego Opera Guild Records, Special Collections and University Archives,
Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
Related Materials:
San Diego Opera Association Records (MS-0474)
San Diego Opera Office Records (MS-0477)
Arrangement of Materials:
I. Administrative Files, 1950-2000
a.) General Files, 1950-2000
b.) Minutes, 1950-1988
c.) Opera Season Books, 1954-1964
d.) Membership Rosters, 1953-1974
e.) Artist Card File, n.d.
II. Programs and Publications, 1939-1977
III. Photographs, 1965-1974
a.) Production Photographs, 1965-1974
b.) Workshops and Events, 1973-1974
IV. Scrapbooks
Scope and Contents
The
San Diego Opera Guild Records (1939-2000) documents the organization and activities of the San Diego Opera Guild (SDOG), the early growth and development
of San Diego Opera, and the productions brought to San Diego by the SDOG. It includes annual reports, clippings, correspondence,
reviews, minutes, programs, photographs, and scrapbooks. The collection consists of four major series:
Administrative Files (1950-2000),
Programs and Publications (1939-1977),
Photographs (1965-1974), and
Scrapbooks. The
Administrative Files have five sub-series:
General Files (1950-2000),
Minutes (1950-1988),
Opera Season Books (1954-1964),
Membership Rosters (1953-1974), and
Artist Card File (n.d.). The
Photographs are filed in two sub-series:
Production Photographs (1965-1974) and
Workshops and Events (1973-1974).
The
Administrative Files (1950-2000) include four subseries:
General Files (1950-2000),
Minutes (1950-1988),
Opera Season Books (1954-1964),
Membership Rosters (1953-1974), and
Artist Card File (n.d.). These files document the SDOG's work in bringing opera performances to San Diego, and in part the early growth
and development of San Diego Opera. The bulk of materials date from 1955 to 1974. The
General Files (1950-2000) document regular SDOG operations, and include annual reports, some clippings, budgets and financial documents,
correspondence, and information on fundraising. It is filed alphabetically by file name. The
Minutes (1950-1988) document the discussions and actions of SDOG itself, as well as the Production Committee, and the SDOG's Board
of Directors. Minutes are filed chronologically. The
Opera Season Books (1954-1964) document SDOG's early work in bringing various operatic productions to San Diego. Each book details one show,
and includes information on publicity, events, committee reports, treasurer's reports, and ticket sales information. They
are filed chronologically. The
Membership Rosters (1953-1974) document SDOA's membership and committee service. Created annually, each roster is a booklet which contains
information on SDOA officers, the board of directors, various committees, the SDO's season for that year, and an alphabetical
listing of all SDOA members. Rosters are filed chronologically. The
Artist Card File (n.d.) is filed alphabetically by artist's name, and includes a listing of which productions and roles each individual played.
The
Programs and Publications (1939-1977) document productions staged at numerous west coast opera companies, and opera in the US in general. They usually
include general background information about individual shows, photos of the production, a cast list, biographies of actors
and production staff, the name of the production's theater, background information about the show, and advertisements. Separate
programs are sometimes included for San Francisco Opera productions that were performed both in Los Angeles and San Diego.
Programs are filed chronologically.
The
Photographs (1965-1974) include two subseries:
Production Photographs (1965-1974) and
Workshops and Events (1973-1974). The series documents some of the special events and programming organized by SDOA, and the opera productions
performed in San Diego. The
Production Photographs (1965-1974) document finished San Francisco Opera performances as they were staged in San Diego. The subseries contains
production stills only, and is filed chronologically. The
Workshops and Events (1973-1974) subseries documents some of the special events and supplementary programming organized by SDOG. Photographs
are filed chronologically.
The
Scrapbooks consist of numerous scrapbooks documenting Guild history, activities, programs, and social events, as well as the operas
the Guild brought to San Diego. Clippings, photos, and other materials documenting the Guild's early existence, including
original board members, are included.
Detailed List of Contents
Administrative Files
1950-2000
Box 1, Folder 2
50th Anniversary, 1997-2000
Box 1, Folder 3
Advertisements, 1971-1974
Box 1, Folder 7
Annual Reports, 1952-1953-1956-1959, 1964-1972
Box 1, Folder 8
Annual Reports, 1972-1976, 1979
Box 1, Folder 9
Annual Report of the Treasurer, 1973-1974
Box 1, Folder 10
Annual Report of the Treasurer, 1973-1974
Box 1, Folder 11
Application for Renewal of Opera Participation and Appreciation Project for School Age Youth, 1972
Box 1, Folder 12
Articles of Incorporation, 1953, 1956, 1966-1968, 1971-1974
Box 2, Folder 1
Articles of Incorporation Correspondence, 1966-1973
Box 2, Folder 2
Barber of Seville Elementary Performance, 1971
Box 2, Folder 3
Barber of Seville Secondary Performance, 1971
Box 2, Folder 5
Boris Godnov Secondary Performance, 1972
Box 2, Folder 6
Budgets and Box Office Reports, 1972-1973
Box 2, Folder 7
Mrs. William Paxton Carey
Box 2, Folder 20
Clippings, 1972, 1973, 1978
Box 3, Folder 1
Clippings, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1957
Box 3, Folder 2
Christmas Parties, 1952-1970
Box 3, Folder 3
COMBO Grants Auction Program, 1964-1969
Box 3, Folder 4
Coronado Associates, 1971-1984
Box 3, Folder 5
Correspondence, 1950-1957
Box 3, Folder 6
Correspondence, 1950-1957
Box 3, Folder 7
Correspondence, 1960-1966
Box 3, Folder 8
Correspondence, 1969-1971
Box 4, Folder 1
Correspondence, Opera Briefs
1956-1971
Box 4, Folder 2
Correspondence, Guild President
1970-1977
Box 4, Folder 3
Debutante Ball, Houston
1970-1971
Box 4, Folder 6
Employment Contracts (Walter Herbert and Kenneth Caswell)
Box 4, Folder 8
Financial Ledgers
1968-1975
Box 4, Folder 9
Financial Ledgers, 1968-1975
Box 4, Folder 10
Financial Statements
1968-1970
Box 4, Folder 11
Financial Statements
1971-1973
Box 4, Folder 12
Fundraising COMBO
1961-1972
Box 4, Folder 13
Fundraising COMBO
1961-1972
Box 5, Folder 1
Fundraising COMBO
1972-1974
Box 5, Folder 2
Fundraising Correspondence
1967-1968
Box 5, Folder 3
Fundraising Correspondence
1969
Box 5, Folder 4
Fundraising Donations
1968-1970
Box 5, Folder 5
Fundraiser Pledges and Loans
1970
Box 5, Folder 6
Fundraising Prospects
1968-1970
Box 5, Folder 7
Fundraising Zip Codes
1968-1970
Box 5, Folder 10
Gallantry Correspondence, 1972-1973
Box 5, Folder 11
Gallantry Letters from Beale School
Box 5, Folder 12
The Girl of the Golden West Party, 1973
Box 5, Folder 13
Golden Family Bios, Obituaries, and Retrospectives
Box 5, Folder 16
Walter Herbert, 1967-1987
Box 5, Folder 17
Historical Photos, 1950-1990
Box 6, Folder 2
An Introduction to Performance for Students, 1969
Box 6, Folder 4
Job Descriptions, 1972-1974
Box 6, Folder 5
Krooskos, Christine, 1957-1959
Box 6, Folder 6
La Jolla Associates, 1971-1972
Box 6, Folder 7
Letters from Teachers and Students, 1953-1955
Box 6, Folder 9
Madame Butterfly Student Performance, 1971
Box 6, Folder 10
Meeting Agendas, 1957-1963
Box 6, Folder 11
Memoranda re: Hiring and Budget
Box 6, Folder 12
Met Auditions-Director's Manual, History, Handbook
Box 6, Folder 13
Met Auditions-Director's Manual, History, Handbook
Box 6, Folder 14
Metropolitan Opera Guild Correspondence, 1970-1975
Box 6, Folder 15
Metropolitan and San Francisco Auditions, 1971-1978
Box 7, Folder 1
Mrs. Hunter Muir, 1952-1957
Box 7, Folder 4
Nominating Committee Reports, 1963-1968
Box 7, Folder 5
The Old Maid and the Thief, 1971-1972
Box 7, Folder 6
Opera Appreciation Series, 1967
Box 7, Folder 8
Opera Education in Schools, 1952-1959
Box 7, Folder 9
Opera Guild of Southern California, 1948-1951
Box 7, Folder 10
Opera Participation and Appreciation Project, 1970
Box 7, Folder 11
Operas Performed for Students
Box 7, Folder 12
Pilot School Project, 1971-1972
Box 7, Folder 13
Plan of Organization and Merger, 1972-1974
Box 7, Folder 15
Jan Popper Personal Correspondence
Box 7, Folder 16
Jan Popper Personal Corresponce
Box 8, Folder 1
Pre-Opera Dinner, 1957-1959
Box 8, Folder 2
Pre-Opera Dinner
1970-1971
Box 8, Folder 3
Pre-Opera Dinner
1972-1973
Box 8, Folder 5
Promotion / Bus Transportation
1967-1971
Box 8, Folder 6
Promotion, Mailing Lists
1965-1967
Box 8, Folder 7
Promotion, New Member
1967-1972
Box 8, Folder 8
Promotion, Sunday Matinee Lecture Series
1970-1971
Box 8, Folder 9
Publicity, Social
1950-1980
Box 8, Folder 10
Rancho Santa Fe Opera Associates, 1970-1972
Box 8, Folder 11
Regional Auditions History, 1968
Box 8, Folder 12
Report on Interest in a Local Opera Company, 1962-1963
Box 9, Folder 1
San Diego Youth Operan, 1971-1975
Box 9, Folder 2
Schools Program-What's so grand about Opera?
Box 9, Folder 3
Season Tickets, 1970-1972
Box 9, Folder 6
Southbay Associates, 1970-1972
Box 9, Folder 7
San Francisco Opera Correspondence, 1959-1964
Box 9, Folder 9
Tales of Hoffmann and Travista Student Performances, 1970
Box 9, Folder 10
A Teacher's Guide to Tosca, 1968
Box 9, Folder 11
Tour Contracts, 1966-1974
Box 9, Folder 12
Tresurer's Personal Correspondence, 1966-1968
Box 9, Folder 13
Tresurer's Records, 1974-1979
Box 9, Folder 14
Tresurer's Reports, 1954-1959
Box 10, Folder 1
Union Agreements, 1969-1972
Box 10, Folder 2
The Young Lord Premiere, 1967
Box 10, Folder 3
Youth Arts Coordinating Committee, 1969-1971
Box 10, Folder 4
San Diego Committee of the Opera Guild of Southern California, Meeting Minutes
Box 10, Folder 5
Minutes, May 19, 1952-April 6, 1962
Box 11, Folder 1
Production Committee, 1963-1964
Box 11, Folder 2
Minutes, April, 1964-1966
Box 11, Folder 3
Production Committee, 1965
Box 11, Folder 4
Production Committee, 1966-1972
Box 11, Folder 5
Financial Committee, 1968-1988
Box 11, Folder 6
Board of Directors, 1966-1967
Box 11, Folder 7
Board of Directors, 1968-1971
Box 12, Folder 1
Treasurer's Reports, 1970
Box 12, Folder 3
Board of Directors, 1971-1973
Opera Season Books
1954-1964
Box 13, Folder 5
Cosi Van Tuttle and Madama Butterfly, 1956
Box 13, Folder 6
La Traviata and Aida, 1957
Box 13, Folder 7
La Traviata and Aida, 1957
Box 14, Folder 1
Manon, Le Nozze Di Figaro, and La Farza del Destino, 1958
Box 14, Folder 2
Manon, Le Nozze Di Figaro, and La Forza Del Destino, 1958
Box 14, Folder 3
Carmen, L'Amore Del Tre Re, and Otello, 1959
Box 14, Folder 4
Carmen, L'Amore Dei Tre Re, and Otello, 1959
Box 14, Folder 5
Der Rosenkavalier, Tosca, and La Sonnambula, 1960
Box 14, Folder 6
Der Rosenkavalier, Tosca, and La Sonnambula, 1960
Box 15, Folder 1
Lucia Di Lammermoor, Fidelio, and Rigoletto, 1961
Box 15, Folder 2
Lucia Di Lammermoor, Fidelio and Rigoletto
Box 15, Folder 3
Don Giovanni, Il Trovatore, I Pagliacci, and Cavelleria Rusticana
Box 15, Folder 4
Don Giovanni, Il Travatore, I Pagliaccia, and Cevelleria Rusticana
Box 15, Folder 5
Don Giovannia, Il Trovatore, I Pagliacci, and Cavelleria Rusticana
Box 15, Folder 6
Falstaff, The Queen of Spades, and Die Walkure
Box 16, Folder 1
Falstaff, The Queen of Spades, and Die Walkure
Box 16, Folder 2
Falstaff, The Queen of Spades, and Die Walkure
Box 16, Folder 3
Gianni Schicchi, Carmina Burana, Carmen, and Otello, 1964
Box 16, Folder 4
Gianni Schicchi, Carmina Burana, Carmen, and Otello, 1964
Box 16, Folder 5
Gianni Schicchi, Carmina Burana, Carmen, and Otello, 1964
Membership Rosters
1953-1974
Programs and Publications
1939-1977
Box 16, Folder 6
Los Angeles Season of the San Francisco Opera, 1939-1946
Box 17, Folder 1
Los Angeles Season of the San Francisco Opera, 1950-1955
Box 17, Folder 2
Metropolitan Opera House, 1928-1963
Box 17, Folder 3
Philadelphia Grand Opera Company, 1931
Box 17, Folder 4
San Diego Season of the San Francisco Opera, 1952-1966
Box 17, Folder 5
San Diego Season of the San Francisco Opera, 1952-1966
Box 17, Folder 6
San Diego Opera, 1965-1977
Box 17, Folder 7
San Francisco Opera, 1957-1960
Box 18, Folder 1
San Francisco Opera, 1961
Box 18, Folder 2
San Francisco Opera, 1962-1965
Box 18, Folder 3
Special Concerts, 1960-1972
Box 18, Folder 4
Student Performances, 1966-1974
Production Stills
1965-1974
Box 19, Folder 4
The Young Lord, 1966-1967
Box 19, Folder 5
The Young Lord, 1966-1967
Box 19, Folder 12
Gianni Schicchi, 1971-1972
Box 20, Folder 7
The Magic Flute, 1972-1973
Box 20, Folder 10
Hansel and Gretel, 1973-1974
Box 20, Folder 12
What's so Grand about Opera, 1973-1974
Workshops and Events
1976-1974
Box 20, Folder 13
Jean Berger at Workshop Reharsal, n.d.
Box 21, Folder 5
Foothills Guild, 1976-1977, 1977-1978, 1978-1979
Box 21, Folder 6
Foothills Guild, 1976-1977, 1977-1978, 1978-1979
Box 22, Folder 1
North Coast Associates, 1969-1970
Box 22, Folder 2
North Coast Associates, 1970-1971
Box 22, Folder 3
North Coast Associates, 1970-1971
Box 22, Folder 4
North Coast Associates, 1971-1972
Box 22, Folder 5
North Coast Assciates, 1971-1972
Box 23, Folder 1
North Coast Associates, 1972-1973
Box 23, Folder 2
North Coast Associates, 1972-1973
Box 23, Folder 3
North Coast Associates, 1973-1974
Box 23, Folder 4
North Coast Associates, 1973-1974
Box 25, Folder 1
South Bay Associates, 1967-1977
Box 25, Folder 2
Golden Archives, 1953-1961
Box 26, Folder 1
Foothills Guild, 1960-1973
Box 26, Folder 2
Waterhouse, Sally, 1961-1962
Box 27, Folder 1
Wilson, Becky (President), 1960-1964
Box 28, Folder 1
South Bay Association, 1966-1968
Box 28, Folder 2
South Bay Associates, 1960-1966
Box 28, Folder 3
Opera Memories Vol. 1, 1963-1974
Box 29, Folder 1
Waterhouse, Sally,1960-1961
Box 30, Folder 2
Wilson, Becky (President), 1960-1964
Box 31, Folder 1
San Diego Guild, 1950-1951
Box 31, Folder 3
San Diego Guild, 1953-1954
Box 31, Folder 4
San Diego Guild, 1954-1955
Box 32, Folder 1
San Diego Guild, 1955-1956
Box 32, Folder 2
San Diego Guild, 1956-1957
Box 32, Folder 3
San Diego Guild, 1957-1958
Box 32, Folder 4
San Diego Guild, 1957-1958
Box 33, Folder 1
San Diego Opera Guild, 1958-1959
Box 33, Folder 2
San Diego Opera Guild 1958-1959
Box 33, Folder 3
San Diego Opera Guild, 1959-1960
Box 33, Folder 4
San Diego Opera Guild, 1960-1961
Box 34, Folder 1
San Diego Guild, 1970-1971
Box 34, Folder 2
San Diego Guild, 1971-1972
Box 34, Folder 3
San Diego Guild, 1972-1973
Box 34, Folder 4
San Diego Guild, 1974-1975
Box 35, Folder 1
San Diego Guild, 1967-1968
Box 35, Folder 2
San Diego Guild, 1968-1969
Box 35, Folder 3
San Diego Guild, , 1969-1970
Box 36, Folder 1
San Diego Guild, 1965-1966
Box 36, Folder 2
San Diego Guild, 1966-1967
Box 37, Folder 1
San Diego Guild, 1964-1965
Box 37, Folder 2
San Diego Guild, 1964-1965
Box 38, Folder 1
San Diego Guild, 1961-1962
Box 38, Folder 2
San Diego Guild, 1962-1963
Box 38, Folder 3
San Diego Guild, 1963-1964
