Finding Aid for the Opera Pacific Records 2009.05.r

Finding aid prepared by Randolph Boyd

Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries

Chapman University

One University Drive

Orange, CA, 92866

(714) 532 - 7711

rboyd@chapman.edu

07/23/2010

Title: Opera Pacific Records

Identifier/Call Number: 2009.05.r

Contributing Institution: Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries

One University Drive

Orange, CA, 92866

(714) 532 - 7711

rboyd@chapman.edu

Language of Material: English.

Physical Description: 57.5 Linear feet (46 cartons)

Date (inclusive): 1962-2008

Abstract: These papers contain extensive material relating to the productions and operation of the Opera Pacific theater group that operated in Orange County from 1962 until 2008

Location note: Leatherby Libraries

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use note

The material in this collection is under copyright by the various artists who originally produced it. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission to use any material from this collection from the original artists.

Preferred Citation note

[identify item], Opera Pacific Records (2009.05.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

The Opera Pacific Records were donated to the Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives by William Hall, DMA.

Biographical/Historical note

Opera Pacific traces its roots to 1962 and the Festival of Opera Association in Laguna Beach, CA. These early productions were sung in English and performed during late summer at the Irvine Bowl.

Then the Opera League of Laguna Beach, coordinated by Velma Sun and with Nunzio Crisci as managing director, was created to encourage and sustain interest in the Festival of Opera. In the early 1980s, members of the Laguna organization and other opera lovers from Orange County joined together in anticipation of the opening of the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Opera Pacific was incorporated in 1983 as the county's resident opera company.

1985 was the opening season for the new company with David DiChiera as general director. The company put on an average of six productions per season and also hosted an "Opera Camp" geared to educating young people in appreciating opera.

On November 4, 2008 the announcement was made that the remainder of the 2008 was being cancelled and Opera Pacific closed down all operations soon after due to financial difficulties.

Scope and Contents note

Approx. 46 cartons of production books, promotional material and audio/visual material from Opera Pacific, 1962-2008.

Arrangement note

This collection is arranged in series by material type.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Hall, William, DMA

Opera Pacific.

Lyric Opera Association of Orange County

Opera Pacific

Mixed materials s1,1-13

Series 1, Binders, production 1993-2008

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 16.25 Linear feet (13 cartons)

Scope and Contents note

This series contains the production notebooks for most of the operas that were produced by Opera Pacific. These bibles are snapshots of each production and, for the most part, contain annotated scores, stage directions, cast listings, lighting and scenery drawings as well as production stills and some publicity material.

Carton 1 West Side Story, Pecheurs de Perles Regina 1995/1996, Rigoletto 1997, Salome 2003

Carton 2 Marriage of Figaro 1999/2000, Madame Butterfly 2003, Flying Dutchman 1999, Il Trovature 2002, La Boheme 2007/2008, Manon and Lescaut 2000

Carton 3 Italian in Algiers 2006, Les Contes D'Hoffman 2000, Little Women 2001, Eugen Onegin 2002, Elixir of Love 2007, Rosenkavalier 2001, Fledermaus 1996, Turandot 1996

Carton 4 Faust 1993, Barber of Seville, Die Fledermaus 1988

Carton 5 Madame Butterfly 1995, Zauberflote 1995

Carton 6 Merry Widow 1994, Rigoletto 2001, Salome 2002, Tosca 1998, Lucia de Lammermoor 1994, Madame Butterfly 1999

Carton 7 Carmen 2001, La Traviata 2005, La Traviata 1999, Mikado 1997, La Traviata 1994, La Traviata 1990

Carton 8 Macbeth 2001, Madame Butterfly 2003, Don Giovanni 1999, La Boheme 1992, Don Giovanni 2002, Die Fledermaus 1996, La Boheme 1998, La Boheme 2002/2003

Carton 9 Opera Terrific 2007/2008 Pagliaccia 1998, Carmina Burana 1998, Cosi fan Tutte 2004, Carmen Daughter of the Regiment 1999, Dead Man Walking 2003

Carton 10 Festa Italiana 2000, Emperor and the Nightingale 2002, Rigoletto 2001, Gypsy Princess 1992, Kismet 1988, Aida 1988, Carmina Burana, Magic Flute 2008, I Pagliacci 2004, Carmina Burana 2004

Carton 11 misc. production photos

Carton 12 Brundibar 1999, Abduction 2002, Princess and the Pea 2003, Cinderella 2001, Emperor's New Clothes 2004, Susannah 2008, Turandot 2004, Tales of Hoffmann 2000, Tosca 2005

Carton 13 Candide 2004, Barber of Seville 1996, Barber of Seville 2008, Aida 2006, Opera under the Stars 2007, Children's Composition Project 2005

Text s2,1-3

Series 2, Records, operating Bulk, 2000-2008 1962-2008

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 3.75 Linear feet (3 cartons)

Scope and Contents note

This series contains three cartons of records associated with Opera Pacific as well as its earlier incarnation as the Lyric Opera Association in 1962.

Mixed materials s3,1-15

Series 3, Publicity 1985-2008

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 18.75 Linear feet (15 cartons)

Scope and Contents note

This series contains publicity material, much of it being programs, flyers and binders of clippings.

Audio s4,1-15

Series 4, Audio/visual 1985-2008

Language of Material: English

Physical Description: 18.75 Linear feet (15 cartons)

Scope and Contents note

This series consists of a mix of audio-visual material in various formats such as 1/4" audio tape, CD, VHS, Beta and DVD of Opera Pacific's different productions.