Euterpe Opera Theatre records, 1926-1995
Finding aid prepared by UCLA Library Special Collections staff. Reprocessed in 2015 by Lori Dedeyan; machine-readable finding
aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1575
(310) 825-4988
spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
©1998 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Title: Euterpe Opera Theatre records
Collection number: PASC-M 95
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
5.2 linear ft.
(4 document boxes and 9 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1926-1995
Abstract: Records of the Euterpe Opera Theatre. Contents include production files, minutes, membership materials, bylaws and articles
of incorporation, financial documents, leases, publicity materials, programs, clippings, and photographs.
Language of Materials: Materials are in English.
Physical Location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Creator:
Euterpe Opera Theatre.
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Euterpe Opera Theatre Records (Collection PASC-M 95). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles
E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Robert Frampton, 1990.
Biography/History
The Euterpe Opera Theatre was founded in Los Angeles in 1924. Opening its first season with Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet," it
has since given over 300 performances. The theatre was incorporated under California law in 1928, and in 1932 opened productions
in downtown's newly built Biltmore Theatre. It continued to give performances at other now- historic venues, such as the Wilshire
Ebell Theater. In 1964, it opened the first opera production at the newly constructed Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, where it
has since given 100 performances. Euterpe productions of traditional operatic works were notable for being dramatically staged
and sung in English, though in the later years, some performances were also given in Spanish. The Euterpe Opera Theatre had
both seasoned veterans and early- career performers in its productions; Euterpe alumni include Nadine Conner, Jerome Hines,
Mary Costa, Jonathan Mack, Karen Armstrong, Carole Neblett, Heinz Bankenburg, and Marvelee Cariaga.
Scope and Content
This collection contains the records of the Euterpe Opera Theatre. Included are records for various opera productions, photographs,
official documents (such as bylaws, articles of incorporation, and annual reports) and membership material, financial documents
(such as grants, tax and insurance documents, and leases and invoices), publicity materials and programs, meeting minutes
for the board of directors and general Opera Club, and clippings and articles regarding Euterpe productions.
Organization and Arrangement
This collection is arranged in the following series:
- Series 1. Production records
- Series 2. Photographs
- Series 3. Club documents and membership material
- Series 4. Financial documents
- Series 5. Publicity materials and programs
- Series 6. Meeting minutes
- Series 7. Clippings and articles
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Opera--Photographs.
Operas--20th century
Operas--performances
Series 1. Production records.
1968-1988.
Scope and Content
This series contains programs, invoices, publicity materials, lists, performer contracts, costume details, stage plans, and
correspondence related to preparation of various opera productions.
Box 1, Folder 1
List of productions from 1924 to 1988.
1988.
Box 1, Folder 2
1968-1969, 1969-1970 seasons.
1968-1970.
Box 1, Folder 3
1970-1971 season.
1970-1971.
Box 1, Folder 4
1972-1973, 1973-1974 seasons.
1972-1974.
Box 1, Folder 5
50th anniversary performance, Merry Widow.
1974.
Box 1, Folders 6-7
1979-1980 season.
1979-1980.
Box 2, Folder 1
1980-1981 season.
1980-1981.
Box 2, Folders 2-3
1981-1982 season.
1981-1982.
Series 2. Photographs.
1957-1977.
Box 2, Folder 5
Barber of Seville.
ca 1965.
Box 2, Folder 6
The Bartered Bride.
1969.
Box 2, Folder 9
Cavallera Rusticana.
circa 1964.
Box 2, Folder 13
Don Pasquale.
1968 March.
Box 2, Folder 15
Floradora.
1967 March 13.
Box 2, Folder 16
The Gypsy Baron.
1967 December 11.
Box 2, Folder 17
HMS Pinafore.
circa 1966.
Box 3, Folder 2
La Finta Giardiniera.
1977 March 8.
Box 3, Folder 3
La Gioconda.
1968 January 15.
Box 3, Folder 9
Madame Butterfly.
circa 1973.
Box 3, Folder 11
Manon Lescaut.
circa 1977.
Box 3, Folder 12
Marriage of Figaro.
undated.
Box 3, Folder 16
The Mikado.
1966 February 8.
Box 3, Folder 20
Romeo and Juliet.
circa 1970.
Box 3, Folder 21
Samson et Delilah.
circa 1963.
Box 3, Folder 22
Song of Norway.
circa 1959.
Box 3, Folder 23
The Student Prince.
circa 1969.
Box 3, Folder 24
Tales of Hoffman.
circa 1957.
Box 3, Folder 27
Unidentified performances.
undated.
Box 8, Folder 5
Unidentified performances- large prints.
Box 3, Folder 28
Membership events and venues.
1960s-1970s.
Series 3. Club documents and membership materials.
1929-1985.
Box 3, Folder 29
Membership materials samples and templates.
1939-1970.
Scope and Content
Includes membership cards, guest cards, applications, and templates for reinstatement, past due, and presidential notices.
Box 4, Folder 2
Articles of incorporation.
circa 1960-1975.
Box 4, Folder 3
Board of directors nominating committees.
circa 1970-1985.
Box 4, Folder 4
Membership lists.
undated.
Box 4, Folder 5
Rosters and souvenir booklets.
1929-1960.
Box 6, Folders 5-7
Annual reports.
1958-1985.
Box 8, Folder 6
Certificates of appreciation from U.S. Marine Corps.
1964-1966.
Series 4. Financial documents.
1968-1987.
Box 5, Folder 1
Insurance documents.
1981-1986.
Box 5, Folder 2
Tax documents.
circa 1980-1985.
Box 5, Folders 3-5
Los Angeles Music Center lease agreements and invoices.
1977-1987.
Box 6, Folder 1
LA County Music and Performing Arts Commission funding.
1973-1984.
Box 6, Folder 3
Bequest of Francis J. Hickson.
1968.
Box 6, Folder 4
Postal permit fees.
1980-1986.
Series 5. Publicity materials and programs.
1951-1995.
Box 7
Program mailers.
1951-1987.
Scope and Content
These are full programs sent as part of regular mailers.
Box 8, Folder 2
Mailers and announcements.
circa 1960-1991.
Box 8, Folder 3
Public relations committee materials.
circa 1972-1984.
Box 8, Folder 4
Programs by other institutions.
1973-1995.
Series 6. Meeting minutes.
1926-1987.
Boxes 9-11
Board meetings.
1926-1958, 1971-1987.
Box 12
Regular meetings.
1926-1965.
Series 7. Clippings and articles.
1960s-1980s.
Box 13, Folder 3
Magazine articles.
1960s-1980s.