Marcelli (Nino) Music Collection, 1917-1980

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Summary

Title:
Nino Marcelli Music Collection
Dates:
1917-1980
Creators:
Marcelli, Nino
Abstract:
This collection contains records of the music career of Nino Marcelli, a nationally recognized musician, composer, arranger, and music teacher who worked in San Diego, CA from 1920 till his death in 1967.
Extent:
7.75 Linear feet (8 boxes)
Language:
and English; Spanish; Italian.
Preferred citation:

Nino Marcelli Music Collection, MS 54, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains records of the music career of Nino Marcelli. Records include correspondence, diplomas, programs from orchestras he conducted, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, and some limited financial documents. There is an emphasis on his work in San Diego, particularly regarding Carmelita, his performances for the Organ Pavilion and Ford Bowl in the 1930s, and his work at San Diego High School and the San Diego Symphony. Additionally, this collection contains a series of musical scores composed by Marcelli.

Biographical / historical:

Nino Marcelli was born in Rome, Italy in 1890. While still an infant, Marcelli moved with his family to Santiago, Chile. By the time he was 19, Marcelli was conducting the Santiago Symphony Orchestra, and was celebrated for his 1913 performance of the complete Beethoven symphonic cycle, a first in South America. In WWI Marcelli joined a medical unit. He went on to win a contest to become Conductor of the American Army Headquarters Band in Paris, France.

In 1920, Marcelli came to San Diego to take charge of the San Diego High School Orchestra. He brought the high school’s orchestra national recognition. To provide musical opportunities for San Diego’s musicians, Marcelli founded the Civic Symphony Orchestra in 1927, which later became the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. In the 1930s, Marcelli wrote the music for a “light opera” called Carmelita. Marcelli’s opera was published and distributed nationwide, and performed numerous times, including at the Ford Bowl in 1939 and at San Diego High in 1947. Despite his other commitments, Marcelli’s first priority was always his high school students, and in 1960 he was honored with the Mancini teaching award for the outstanding musical instruction of young people. Mr. Marcelli died in 1967 at the age of 77.

Acquisition information:
Accession # 830510C and 981022.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Jennifer Paton in 2002 and Samantha Mills in 2017.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in two series:

Series I: Music Career;

Series II: Music.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Samantha Mills
Date Prepared:
March 22, 2017
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2017-03-22T10:26-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Nino Marcelli Music Collection, MS 54, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website