Scope and Contents
Arrangement Note
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Source of Acquisition
Accruals and Additions
Custodial History
Related Materials
Preferred Citation
Historical Note
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: San Diego Opera Guild Records
Creator:
San Diego Opera Guild
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0476
Physical Description:
25.59 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1939-2000
Date (bulk): 1955-1974
Language of Material:
English
.
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.
Arrangement Note
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
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
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.
Source of Acquisition
San Diego History Center
Accruals and Additions
2008-029, 9999-231
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.
Related Materials
San Diego Opera Association Records (MS-0474)
San Diego Opera Office Records (MS-0477)
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, folder title, box number, San Diego Opera Guild Records, Special Collections and University Archives,
San Diego State University Library.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ephemera
Organizational Records
Photographs
Slides