Tivoli / Valerga Collection, 1869-1939

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Summary

Creators:
Valerga
Abstract:
Extent:
16 Boxes. 13.3 linear feet.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Tivoli / Valerga Collection. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

The Tivoli / Valerga Collection documents the lives and careers of various members of the Valerga Family from 1869 through 1939. The collection is divided into five different sections, the first four designated to materials relating to individual members of the family (Ida, Frank, Kate and Tillie) and the last to related materials. Maria Ida Valerga’s materials include clippings, correspondence, photographs, programs from the Tivoli Opera House, The Liverpool Seaman’s Orphan Institute and Teatro Alvarez, vocal scores signed by Ida and miscellaneous materials including a sewing box, photo album and two photographic die. Frank Valerga’s materials include clippings, correspondence, drawings by Frank, photographs and a vocal score from Pagliacci. Kate Valerga Marchi’s materials include photographs and vocal scores signed by Kate. Mathilde “Tillie” Valerga’s materials include clippings, photographs, and programs from the Tivoli Opera House and Platts Hall and vocal scores signed by Mathilde. Photographs and clippings of family members are included; along with programs and vocal scores; a large scrapbook belonging to one of the Valerga Family and three photo albums. The oversize collection contains programs, sheet music and costumes from various Valerga family members. The collection, in addition to these items contains photographs, clippings and vocal scores of Adelina Patti, Alice Nielson and Emille Telle.

Biographical / historical:

In 1849, Antoinetta Damonte and Bartolomeo Valerga left their native Genoa and eloped on a ship bound for Boston. After several years, during which they had four children, the couple was lured by tales of gold-filled rivers running through the California Mountains; they left Boston in 1853, tried their luck in the gold country and settled in San Francisco in 1854. Antoinetta taught each of her children (eleven in all) to paint, to sing opera, and to accompany each other on the piano, enabling them to become cultural assets to the burgeoning community. Music was a way of life in the Valerga home perched atop Russian Hill, and later on an Oakland ranch where the family had a theater constructed. Bartolomeo, the patriarch of the clan, died in 1906. Nine of their eleven children went on to dominate San Francisco playbills from 1870 until the 1930’s; the next generation, in turn, populated the ranks of the region’s composers, vocalists, actresses, screenwriters and artists. These include: Bartolomeo Valerga (1825-1906) patriarch of the Valerga Family, Domenico Riccardo “Dick” Valerga (b.1849), a leading baritone at the Tivoli Opera House, Ida Valerga (b.1851), the most famous member of the Valerga family who sang at La Scala when she was 22 and performed before the Tsar, for Kaiser Wilhelm and at Queen Victoria’s Silver Jubilee, Mathilde “Tillie” Valerga Apel (b.1853), a Tivoli Opera singer called “The Moon” due to her renowned beauty and lilting light opera voice, Francis “Frank” Valerga (1854-1904), a founder of the Valerga Opera Company who took members of his company to Africa to perform at diamond camps during the diamond rush (called “The Tenor of San Francisco”), Eda and Nina Valerga, sisters, both of whom performed at the Tivoli Opera House, Kate Valerga Marchi (b.1857), a fabled salon singer and Tivoli Opera performer, Robert Valerga (1872-1900), a French horn player and member of an early symphony orchestra in San Francisco, Johnny Valerga, a clarinetist who performed with both the orchestra and the Valerga Opera Company, Thomas Valerga (d.1955), a celebrated cornet player who played with the John Philip Sousa Band, the early symphony and the Valerga Opera Company, and Richard “Peter” Valerga (d. 1958), a pianist who performed with both the San Francisco Symphony and the Valerga Opera Company. This is not the entire roster of Valerga’s who have performed, but it does encompass the beginnings of the family whose presence had a major impact on the San Francisco arts community. Some descendants of the Valerga Family still live in the Bay Area and continue to play active roles in the arts.

Acquisition information:
The Tivoli/Valerga Collection was given to the Museum of Performance Design by Robert Commanday in May of 1991. Commanday received the collection from Mrs. Lulu Stock; a descendant of the Valerga Family.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Entire Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Reproduction of these materials can occur only if the copying falls within the provisions of the doctrine of fair use. Copyright varies by item.

Preferred citation:

Tivoli / Valerga Collection. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Location of this collection:
2200 Jerrold Avenue
Suite T
San Francisco, CA 94124, US
Contact:
4157413531
info@mpdsf.org
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