Ludova (Francesca) Collection, 1907-1979

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Summary

Title:
Francesca Ludova Collection
Dates:
1907-1979
Creators:
Ludova, Francesca
Abstract:
Extent:
1 Box. 0.5 linear feet.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Francesca Ludova Collection. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

The Collection of Francesca Ludova contains such personal items as a scrapbook of postcards received by her between the years 1928-1940 from her close friend Eugenie Mason, various other friends and her future husband, Dimitri Romanoff. The majority of the postcards trace the world travels of Eugenie. Sent to Francesca from her visits to Java; Paris; London; Egypt; Bali; Japan; Barcelona; Madrid; Cairo; Rome; Pasadena, California; Prince George, British Columbia; Olympia, Washington; and Santa Barbara, California Eugenie’s correspondence expresses the loving bond of friendship shared between the two women. Included in the scrapbook are photographs of Eugenie in Java. The Collection also includes a wreath pin with three diamonds presented to Francesca Ludova (Frances Giugni) by Theodore Kosloff when she was his student in San Francisco. Thirty-six black and white publicity stills of such 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s film stars as Charles Chaplin, Jack Pickford, the Marx Brothers, Ronald Colman, Marlene Dietrich, and Wallace Beery reflect Francesca’s career in Hollywood. A copy of Francesca Ludova’s obituary, as it appeared in Dance News, October, 1979, is included in the Collection.

Biographical / historical:

Francesca Ludova, former dancer with the San Francisco Opera Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, was born Frances Guigni in San Francisco, California in 1907; she died at the age of 72 at General Hospital, San Jose, California on June 28, 1979. Ludova danced with the San Francisco Opera during the late 1920’s under the direction of one of her former teachers, Theodore Kosloff. In the 1930’s, she moved to Hollywood, California where she appeared both in movies and danced at the Hollywood Bowl. Francesca danced with the Albertina Rasch Dancers and studied at the Legat School and with Olga Preobrajenska in Paris. She then returned to San Francisco and later joined the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company. In 1940, she married Dimitri Romanoff: dancer, ballet master and regisseur with whom she operated the San Jose Ballet School in San Jose, California. Ludova also danced under the name Francesca Romanoff after her marriage to Dimitri.

Acquisition information:
The Francesca Ludova Collection was donated to the Library by Harriet Kunze September 25, 1990.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1907-1979
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

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:

Francesca Ludova 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
Website