Description
The Blanche Thebom Collection has three
major components. The first is scores, correspondence, publicity, production notes, and
media from her post-Met career as teacher and director. Secondly, there are published and
unpublished sound recordings of Thebom. Lastly, the collection also retains Thebom's
extensive archive of printed music.
Background
Operatic mezzo-soprano Blanche Thebom was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania in 1915, and began
her formal concert career in 1941. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera through 1967,
known for her roles in Wagnerian epics. During this period she also toured extensively,
including being the first American to perform at the Bolshoi in Moscow. In 1967 she was
appointed head of The Atlanta Opera Company in Atlanta, Georgia. Following that experience,
Thebom taught at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. In 1980 she moved to San
Francisco and directed an opera workshop at San Francisco State University, and founded the
Opera Arts Training Program in 1988 in conjunction with the San Francisco Girls Chorus.
Thebom passed away in March 2010 at the age of 94.
Extent
87 box(es)
86 boxes and 1 oversize folder
Restrictions
Property rights reside with repository. Publication and reproduction rights reside with the
creators or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the
Head Librarian of the Archive of Recorded Sound.
Availability
Open for research; material must be requested at least two business days in advance of
intended use. Contact the Archive for assistance.