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Finding Aid to the Kurt Herbert Adler Papers, 1921-1990, bulk 1954-1987
BANC MSS 89/221 c
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Table of contents
Collection Title: Kurt Herbert Adler papers
Date (inclusive): 1921-1990,
Date (bulk): bulk 1954-1987
Collection Number: BANC MSS 89/221 c
Creators :
Adler, Kurt Herbert
Extent:
Number of containers: 17 cartons, 3 card file boxes, 12 volumes, 1 box, 9 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder
Linear feet: ca. 26
Repository: The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
Abstract: The Kurt Herbert Adler papers, 1921-1990, consist of primary and secondary source materials relating to Maestro Adler's musical
career, chiefly as conductor for the San Francisco Opera. The collection contains a small amount of correspondence, programs,
and notes documenting Adler's early work in Chicago and on the East Coast, prior to his appointment as Chorus Master of the
San Francisco Opera. The bulk of the collection covers the years 1954 to 1987, and includes correspondence, notes, printed
materials, annotated scores, clippings, and photographs, chiefly relating to Adler's years with the San Francisco Opera, and
as a guest conductor locally, as well as throughout California, other states, and internationally. The papers also include
materials relating to his professional activities, plus tributes, honors, and awards recognizing Maestro Adler's contributions
to the City of San Francisco and the world of opera. There is a significant body of personal correspondence containing cards
and letters from several opera stars with whom Adler regularly worked; notebooks, calendars and appointment books; clipping
files; and a small amount of personal and family materials.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English, German, French and Italian
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Collection is open for research, with the following exceptions: some letters have been sealed until 2047.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head
of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94270-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The
Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright
owner. Such permission must obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
[Identification of item], Kurt Herbert Adler Papers, BANC MSS 89/221 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Additional Notes on Collection:
Original award plaques are housed in Oversize Box 9; photocopies have been placed in the appropriate files.
Books from Kurt Herbert Adler's collection were given to the Music Library, University of California Berkeley.
San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum (SFPALM) is the official repository for the records of the San Francisco
Opera Association and the San Francisco Symphony.
Videotapes/sound recordings have been transferred to the Microforms Collection of The Bancroft Library.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Opera--California--San Francisco
Adler, Kurt Herbert--Photographs
Adler, Kurt Herbert--Pictorial works
Opera--California--San Francisco Bay Area--Photographs
Opera--Illinois--Chicago
San Francisco Opera--History
San Francisco Opera--Photographs
San Francisco Opera--Pictorial works
Stern Grove Festival Association
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.--History
Merola Opera Program
Merola, Gaetano
Merola, Gaetano--Portraits
Albanese, Licia
Price, Leontyne
Pavarotti, Luciano
Monteaux, Pierre, 1875-1964
Toscanini, Arturo, 1867-1957
Bauer-Ecsy, Leni
Sotomayor, Antonio, 1904-
Adler, Nancy Miller
The Kurt Herbert Adler Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Nancy M. Adler on May 16, 1989. Additions were made on
July 5, 1989 and August 20, 1990.
No additions are expected.
Processed by Mary Morganti in 2005-2006.
Kurt Herbert Adler was born to Ernst and Ida (Bauer) Adler on April 2, 1905 in Vienna, Austria. The son of a textile manufacturer,
he attended preparatory schools in Vienna, and was educated at the Vienna Academy of Music (1922-1926), the Vienna Conservatory
of Music, and the University of Vienna (1923-1927). Adler made his debut in 1925 as an orchestral conductor at the Vienna
theaters managed by Max Reinhardt, noted European theatrical producer. He continued in that capacity until 1934, at the same
time acting as a coach, accompanist, chorus director, and instructor. From 1934 to 1937, he conducted at opera houses in Germany,
Italy, and Czechoslovakia. He conducted the Vienna Volksoper for two years, and also made appearances as leader of the Vienna
Concert Orchestra. Adler assisted Arturo Toscanini at the 1936 and 1937 Salzburg Festivals, and during the summers served
as an instructor at the Salzburg Mozarteum.
Adler emigrated to the U.S. in 1938, initially for an engagement at the Chicago Opera; he became a U.S. citizen in 1941. He
remained as conductor of the Chicago Opera Company for four years, and also led summer symphony concerts. He served as guest
conductor of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra in 1942, and during 1945 was a member of the New Opera Company, which performed
in New York.
In 1943, Adler joined the staff of the San Francisco Opera, which was founded in 1923 by his predecessor, Gaetano Merola.
Adler began as chorus master (1943-1944), at first commuting from New York, then served as chorus director from 1944 to 1947.
He was appointed artistic director in 1953, and named general director in 1956. He organized subsidiary organizations in San
Francisco to stage experimental works, to perform in schools and other unconventional opera venues, and to train young singers.
More than 300 singers, conductors, directors, and designers made their American debuts with the San Francisco Opera under
Mr. Adler's auspices. Adler also conducted the Young People's Concerts of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and beginning
in 1949, was a lecturer in music at the University of California, Berkeley, and guest conductor of their symphony orchestra,
as well as serving as artistic advisor to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Adler's work has received citations from the governments of Italy, Germany, Austria, Russia, France, and England. In 1957,
he received the Star of Solidarity from the Italian government "for distinguished service in promoting Italian music and art."
In 1958, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music from the University of the Pacific in Stockton for "distinguished leadership
in the advancement of music." Following his retirement on December 31, 1981, Adler was named general director emeritus, and
continued to be a guest conductor in Europe, Asia, China and throughout North America. In addition to serving on the National
Council of the Arts, Adler served on numerous other boards and professional organizations, and is the only lifelong trustee
of the National Opera Institute.
Adler's 1940 marriage to Dianthe Warfel of Plainfield, Illinois produced two children, Kristin Dianthe and Ronald Huntington.
They divorced in 1963, and he married Nancy Goodhue Miller of San Francisco in August 1965. They had two children, Sabrina
Sif (b. 1980), and Curtis Roman (b. 1983). Kurt Herbert Adler died of a heart attack at his home in Ross, Calif., on February
9, 1988.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Kurt Herbert Adler papers, 1921-1990, consist of primary and secondary source materials relating to Maestro Adler's musical
career, chiefly as conductor for the San Francisco Opera. The collection contains a small amount of correspondence, programs,
and notes documenting Adler's early work in Chicago and on the East Coast, prior to his appointment as Chorus Master of the
San Francisco Opera.
The bulk of the collection covers the years 1954 to 1987, and includes correspondence, notes, printed materials, annotated
scores, clippings, and photographs, chiefly relating to Adler's years as Artistic Director, and later as General Director,
of the San Francisco Opera. Contains files relating to a number of subsidiary organizations and programs Adler organized in
order to stage experimental works, perform in schools and other unconventional opera venues, and train young singers.
Maestro Adler often served as a guest conductor locally, as well as throughout California and other states, and internationally,
and these events are well documented. He was active professionally, both as a speaker and teacher, and served on the board
of several arts organizations. The collection includes tributes, honors, and awards recognizing Maestro Adler's contributions
to the City of San Francisco and the world of opera.
There is a significant body of personal correspondence, containing cards and letters from several opera stars with whom he
regularly worked, as well as cards and telegrams from fans. Notebooks, calendars and appointment books, clipping files, and
a small amount of personal and family materials complete the collection.