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Guide to the Nino Marcelli Music Collection
MS 54
MS 54
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Table of contents
Title: Nino Marcelli Music Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 54
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
7.75 Linear feet
(8 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1917-1980
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.
creator:
Marcelli, Nino
Biographical / Historical Notes
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.
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.
This collection is arranged in two series:
Series I: Music Career;
Series II: Music.
Nino Marcelli Music Collection, MS 54, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.
This collection is open for research.
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession # 830510C and 981022.
Collection processed by Jennifer Paton in 2002 and Samantha Mills in 2017.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Civic Orchestra of San Diego.
Marcelli, Nino
San Diego High School Orchestra.
San Diego Oratorio Society.
San Diego Philharmonic Orchestra.
San Diego Symphony Orchestra.
Composers
Music teachers
Musicians
Orchestral music
Orchestral music--20th century--Scores.