Hinrichs (Gustav) Papers, 1874-1934

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
Gustav Hinrichs Papers
Dates:
1874-1934
Creators:
Hinrichs, Gustave
Abstract:
Extent:
15 Boxes. 8 linear feet.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Gustav Hinrichs Papers. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

The collection is rich in original scores of operas and the many songs and other compositions by Hinrichs as well as a number of his contemporaries. The three scrapbooks with material dating from the 1850s are valuable historically for the era as well as Hinrichs career. There is some correspondence, a few photographs (mostly printed from programs and newspapers and even his eyeglasses in their original case.

Biographical / historical:

Gustav Hinrichs (1850-1942) was a German American conductor, as well as a composer and music teacher. As a young man in Hamburg, Hinrichs had the opportunity to study composing under Angelo Reisland and Edward Marxsen and became the youngest member of the opera orchestra at the Stadt theater. In 1870, he left for America, eventually making his way to San Francisco. During his time there he worked in many theaters including the San Francisco Harmonie, the Handel and Haydn Oratorio Society, the Fabbri Italian and German Opera Company, the Emily Melville Opera Company, and the Tivoli Opera Company. Hinrich’s most extensive work in San Francisco, however, was at the Philharmonic Society where he worked for the large part of 15 years. In 1885, he left for New York and the American Opera Company, later named the National Opera Company, where he gained prominence as the assistant conductor to Theodore Thomas. His conducting career took him across the United States and briefly in Canada and England. In 1887, Hinrichs, along with Charles Locke, took the National Opera Company to Philadelphia where he quickly earned the title of the “Father of Opera in Philadelphia.” The company took various tours across America to spread Hinrich’s idea of English opera. However, the National Opera Company was failing, and Hinrichs took a position at the Grand Opera House as manager/conductor for a series of summer opera performances. In 1890, Oscar Hammerstein hired Hinrichs to conduct a season at the Harlem Opera House in New York. Following his success in New York, his own company had a resurgence as he premiered “Cavalleria rusticana” with the celebrated Giuseppe Del Puente as Rigoletto and a cast of new singers such as Albert L. Guille, Selma Koert-Kronold, and Helen Dudley Campbell. In 1892, the company was renamed the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company, and in 1893, they held the American premiere of “Pagliacci,” which Hinrichs conducted. In 1897, Hinrichs returned to New York where he took various conducting positions including a few seasons at the Metropolitan Opera and taught at Columbia University.

Acquisition information:
The Gustav Hinrichs papers were owned by Hinrichs daughter, Mrs. Irene Watts, and were donated to the Library by Katherine Clark, one of Hinrichs six grandchildren, after the death of Mrs. Watts.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1874-1934
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:

Gustav Hinrichs Papers. 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