Guide to the San Diego Opera Office Records
© Copyright 2011 Special Collections & University Archives. All rights reserved.
2011-10-10
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Guide to the San Diego Opera Office Records
1968/2007
Special Collections & University Archives
Overview of the Collection
Collection Title: San Diego Opera Office Records
Dates: 1968-2007
Identification: MS-0477
Creator:
San Diego Opera Office
Physical Description: 12.68 linear ft
Language of Materials:
English
French
German
Repository:
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA, 92182-8050
URL: http://library.sdsu.edu/scua
Email: scref@rohan.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-6791
Biography/Organization History
Historical Note:
San Diego Opera, with roots back to the formation of the San Diego Opera Guild in 1950, took its present administrative form
in 1974, with the creation of the San Diego Opera Association. The San Diego Opera Office's work focuses on the company's
production and performance of opera both during the regular season and for special programs and series.
In 1976, with the passing of founding Director Walter Herbert, the San Diego Opera Association hired Tito Capobianco, formerly
of the New York City Opera, as General Director of the San Diego Opera. Capobianco's tenure saw the San Diego Opera gain
international renown. He introduced an annual summer Verdi Festival, which usually featured two operas, one a late composition
and the other from Verdi's "galley years." Capobianco also expanded the regular season to six productions, and brought such
renowned opera superstars as Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and Beverly Sills to San Diego opera audiences.
In 1983, the SDOA hired a new General Director, Ian Campbell, formerly of Opera Australia and the New York Metropolitan Opera.
Campbell restored fiscal stability to the San Diego Opera, and has worked throughout his tenure to increase San Diego Opera's
audience. While the Verdi Festival only continued through 1985, he expanded the regular season, and introduced a new concert
program designed to bring internationally renowned opera stars to San Diego. His work with the
North American Voices Project adds contemporary American operas to the traditional repertoire performed at San Diego Opera each year.
Notable artists who have performed with San Diego Opera include Luciano Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, Joan Sutherland, Richard
Bonynge, Richard Leech, Placido Domingo, and Renee Fleming. San Diego Opera has staged the World Premieres of numerous productions,
including Myron Fink's
The Conquistador, Gian Carlo Menotti's
La Loca, and Alva Henderson's
Medea. Also significant are the United States Premieres of such operas as Daniel Catan's
Rapaccini's Daughter, Hanz Werner Henze's
The Young Lord, Ricardo Zandonai's
Giulietta e Romeo, and Emmanuel Chabrier's
Gwendoline. Other notable performances include Beverly Sills' farewell performance opposite Joan Sutherland in
Die Fledermaus, and the commissioned Zandra Rhodes productions of
The Magic Flute and
The Pearl Fishers.
San Diego Opera is ranked by OPERA America as one of the top 10 opera companies in the United States, and was recently honored
as one of 13 "Cornerstone Arts Organizations" by the James Irvine Foundation. In addition, San Diego Opera is the only San
Diego arts organization to receive an almost perfect ranking from both the California Arts Council and the City of San Diego
Commission for Arts & Culture.
Administrative History:
San Diego Opera, with roots back to the formation of the San Diego Opera Guild in 1950, took its present administrative form
in 1974, with the creation of the San Diego Opera Association. The San Diego Opera Office's work focuses on the company's
production and performance of opera both during the regular season and for special programs and series.
In 1976, with the passing of founding Director Walter Herbert, the San Diego Opera Association hired Tito Capobianco, formerly
of the New York City Opera, as General Director of the San Diego Opera. Capobianco's tenure saw the San Diego Opera gain
international renown. He introduced an annual summer Verdi Festival, which usually featured two operas, one a late composition
and the other from Verdi's "galley years." Capobianco also expanded the regular season to six productions, and brought such
renowned opera superstars as Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and Beverly Sills to San Diego opera audiences.
In 1983, the SDOA hired a new General Director, Ian Campbell, formerly of Opera Australia and the New York Metropolitan Opera.
Campbell restored fiscal stability to the San Diego Opera, and has worked throughout his tenure to increase San Diego Opera's
audience. While the Verdi Festival only continued through 1985, he expanded the regular season, and introduced a new concert
program designed to bring internationally renowned opera stars to San Diego. His work with the
North American Voices Project adds contemporary American operas to the traditional repertoire performed at San Diego Opera each year.
Notable artists who have performed with San Diego Opera include Luciano Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, Joan Sutherland, Richard
Bonynge, Richard Leech, Placido Domingo, and Renee Fleming. San Diego Opera has staged the World Premieres of numerous productions,
including Myron Fink's
The Conquistador, Gian Carlo Menotti's
La Loca, and Alva Henderson's
Medea. Also significant are the United States Premieres of such operas as Daniel Catan's
Rapaccini's Daughter, Hanz Werner Henze's
The Young Lord, Ricardo Zandonai's
Giulietta e Romeo, and Emmanuel Chabrier's
Gwendoline. Other notable performances include Beverly Sills' farewell performance opposite Joan Sutherland in
Die Fledermaus, and the commissioned Zandra Rhodes productions of
The Magic Flute and
The Pearl Fishers.
San Diego Opera is ranked by OPERA America as one of the top 10 opera companies in the United States, and was recently honored
as one of 13 "Cornerstone Arts Organizations" by the James Irvine Foundation. In addition, San Diego Opera is the only San
Diego arts organization to receive an almost perfect ranking from both the California Arts Council and the City of San Diego
Commission for Arts & Culture.
Administrative Information
Custodial History:
The San Diego Opera Office Collection was originally donated to the San Diego History Center from 1984 to 2008. In 2008 it
was transferred by the San Diego History Center to San Diego State University Library and Information Access.
Accruals:
2008-029
Conditions Governing Use:
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Conditions Governing Access:
This collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation:
Identification of item, folder title, box number, San Diego Opera Office Records, Special Collections and University Archives,
Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.
Related Materials:
San Diego Opera Association Records (MS-0474)
San Diego Opera Guild Records (MS-0476)
Arrangement of Materials:
I. Administrative Files, 1968-2004
a.) Correspondence, 1976-2004
b.) General Files, 1975-2000
c.) Rental Files, 1968-1996
II. Production Files, 1973-1995
a.) Production Binders, 1973-1990
b.) Production Photographs, 1974-1995
III. Publicity, 1980-2007
Scope and Contents
The
San Diego Opera Office Collection (1968-2004) documents the administration, creative history, development, and growth of the San Diego Opera (SDO). It includes
correspondence, memoranda, clippings, minutes, photographs, budgets, financial records, and detailed documentation of numerous
productions. The collection consists of three major series:
Administrative Files (1968-2004),
Production Files (1973-1995), and
Publicity (1980-2007). The
Administrative Files have three sub-series:
Correspondence (1976-2004),
General Files (1975-2000), and
Rental Files (1968-1996). The
Production Files are filed in two sub-series:
Production Binders (1973-1990) and
Production Photographs (1974-1995).
The
Administrative Files (1968-2004) include three subseries:
Correspondence (1976-2004),
General Files (1975-2000), and
Rental Files (1968-1996). These files document SDO's general operations, activities and functions, interaction with the public, and the
company's growth and development over several decades. The
Correspondence (1976-2004) subseries documents some of SDO's interactions with the public. It primarily consists of letters sent to SDO
from audience members and reviewers in response to performances, show selection, and other topics. Responses from San Diego
Opera staff, especially Director Ian Campbell and Artistic Administrator Marianne Flettner are sometimes included. Letters
sometimes include clippings, and the sub-series is filed chronologically. The
General Files (1975-2000) document daily operations, work with various performers, and early production preparation. It includes clippings,
brochures, receipts, internal correspondence, correspondence exchanged with performers and other opera companies both in the
US and abroad, photos of former Director Tito Capobianco, performer head shots, and audition forms, and is filed alphabetically
by file name. The
Rental Files (1968-1996) document the San Diego Opera's Scenic Studios rental relationships with various opera and production companies
around the US who have used sets designed and created by San Diego Opera in their own productions. It includes set rental
forms, diagrams, photographs, slides, rental agreements, correspondence, and shipping forms, and is filed alphabetically by
file name.
The
Production Files (1973-1995) include two subseries:
Production Binders (1973-1990) and
Production Photographs (1974-1995). These files document the creation and performance of SDO's regular season productions. The
Production Binders (1973-1990) include materials originally stored in large 3-ring binders, and document the complex and detailed processes
necessary to stage an opera production. The subseries includes casting information, correspondence with principal performers,
information on orchestral musicians, choruses, dancers, sets, props, contracts, costumes, technical staff, rehearsal schedules,
rental documentation, handwritten notes, correspondence, set diagrams, and some photographs, and is filed chronologically.
The
Production Photographs (1974-1995) document finished opera performances as they were staged at SDO. The majority of photographs are from performances
staged in the 1970s and 1980s, though some productions are undated. The subseries includes production stills only, and is
filed chronologically.
The
Publicity (1980-2007) series documents the SDO's coverage in various print media outlets, and consists primarily of published reviews
of SDO performances. Clippings were gathered by the San Diego Clipping Service from various local and national publications
including the
San Diego Union,
Evening Tribune,
San Diego Daily Transcript,
La Prensa,
Seattle Post Intelligencer,
Los Angeles Times, and numerous others. The series is filed chronologically.
Detailed List of Contents
Administrative Files
1968-2004
Box 1, Folder 1
Composer Correspondence-Pasatier, Thomas
1976
Box 1, Folder 2
Pavarotti, Public Response Letters
1980
Box 1, Folder 3
Correspondences
1983-1984
Box 1, Folder 4
Composer Correspondence-Kalman, Yvonne
1984-1986
Box 2, Folder 5
Completed Speeches-Ian
1989-1993
Box 3, Folder 6
September, 1995-December, 1996
Box 5, Folder 4
History, Publicity 1963-1971, 1980, Promotions, 1986-1987
Box 6, Folder 1
Beverly Sills Contracts, 1975-1977
Box 6, Folder 5
City of San Diego Proclamations 30th Anniversary, 1995
Box 6, Folder 7
Ticket Pricing, 1979-1983
Box 6, Folder 9
Albert Herring, 1987-1991
Box 6, Folder 14
Daughther of the Regiment, 1973-1996
Box 7, Folder 1
Daughter of the Regiment. 1973-1996
Box 7, Folder 2
Flying Dutcman, 1986-1987
Box 7, Folder 3
Flying Dutchman, 1986-1987
Box 7, Folder 6
The Lighthouse, 1985-1989
Box 7, Folder 7
Lucia di Lammermoor, 1984-1995
Box 7, Folder 8
Lucia di Lammermoor, 1984-1995
Box 7, Folder 9
Madama Butterfly, 1976-1996
Box 8, Folder 3
The Rape of Lucretia, 1988-1996
Box 8, Folder 4
Rappachini's Daughter, 1994
Box 8, Folder 5
The Rape of Lucretia, 1988-1996
Production Files
1973-1995
Production Binders
1973-1990
Box 9, Folder 3
Lucia di Lamamoor (Sutherland Debut), 1974
Box 9, Folder 4
Lucia di Lamamoor (Sutherland Debut), 1974
Box 10, Folder 1
Village Romeo and Julliet, 1975
Box 10, Folder 2
Village Romeo and Julliet, 1975
Box 10, Folder 4
Aida (Verdi Festival Prologue), 1978
Box 10, Folder 5
Aida (Verdi Festival Prologue), 1978
Box 11, Folder 2
Gotterdammerung, Ring Cycle Part IV. 1977
Box 11, Folder 3
Gotterdammerung, Ring Cycle Part IV, 1977
Box 11, Folder 4
Gotterdammerung, 4th in Ring Cycle, 1977
Box 11, Folder 5
Gotterdammerung, 4th in Ring Cycle, 1977
Box 11, Folder 6
Gotterdammerung, 4th in Ring Cycle, 1977
Box 12, Folder 2
The Medium, (Education), 1977
Box 12, Folder 3
Hamlet Production Book, 1978
Box 12, Folder 4
Hamlet Production Book, 1978
Box 12, Folder 6
The Love for Three Oranges, 1978
Box 13, Folder 2
Manon Lescaut Vocal Score, 1979
Box 13, Folder 4
Die Fledermaus (Sills, Sutherland), 1980
Box 13, Folder 5
Die Fledermaus (Sills/Sutherland), 1980
Box 14, Folder 1
Giovanna d'Arco (Verdi Festival), 1980
Box 14, Folder 2
Giovanna d'Arco (Verdi Festival), 1980
Box 14, Folder 6
Andrea Chenier Production Score, 1981
Box 15, Folder 1
Andrea Chenier Production Score, 1981
Box 15, Folder 2
Nabucco (Verdi Festival), 1981
Box 15, Folder 3
Nabucco (Verdi Festival), 1981
Box 16, Folder 1
Corsano (Verdi Festival), 1982
Box 16, Folder 2
Corsano (Verdi Festival), 1982
Box 16, Folder 3
Gwendoline, American Premiere, 1982
Box 16, Folder 4
Gwendoline, American Premire, 1982
Box 17, Folder 5
Boris Gudonov (Russian Festival), 1989
Box 18, Folder 1
Boris Gudonov (Russian Festival), 1989
Box 18, Folder 2
Dialogues of the Carmelites, 1990
Box 18, Folder 3
Dialogues of the Carmelites, 1990
Production Photographs
1974-1995
Box 18, Folder 5
Lucia di Lammamoor, 1974-1975
Box 18, Folder 10
Gátterdämmerung, 1976-1977
Box 18, Folder 11
Saint of Bleecker Street, 1976-1977
Box 19, Folder 7
Madame Butterfly, 1977-1978
Box 19, Folder 8
Love for the Three, 1977-1978
Box 19, Folder 9
Abduction from the Seraglio, 1979
Box 19, Folder 14
Verdi Festival, 1979-1982
Box 19, Folder 16
Ballo in Maschera, 1980-1981
Box 19, Folder 21
The Secret of Suz Anne, 1980
Box 20, Folder 1
Techinical Set-ups, Makeup, etc., 1980
Box 20, Folder 2
Prodigal, Betsy, Game of Chance
Box 20, Folder 10
Der Rosenkavalier, circa. 1982
Box 20, Folder 12
Tulipatan, Nancy Patrick, 1982
Box 21, Folder 13
Unidentfiied Photos, n.d.
Box 27
Faust, February, February, 1987-1988
Actors: Ferruccio Furlanetto
Box 27
La Boheme, 1965
Actors: Maralin Niska, Nicholas Di Virgilio
Box 27
Count in Figaro, 1992
Actors: David [not legible]
Box 27, Folder 8
Act III, Boris Godunov, 1989
Box 27
Act III, Opening Scence, 1989
Box 27
Otello, 1986-1987
Actors: Guiseppe Giacomim, Silvado Carohl
Box 23, Folder 2
25th Opera Season, Programs and Brochures, 1989-1990
Box 23, Folder 3
November, 1989-January, 1990
Box 24, Folder 6
SDO Publicity March-June, 1994
Box 24, Folder 7
SDO Publicity July-December, 1994
Box 24, Folder 8
SDO Publicity September 1994-July 1995
Box 25, Folder 1
SDO Publicity September 1994-July 1995
Box 25, Folder 2
SDO Publicity January-March, 1995
Box 25, Folder 3
Publicity October 1995-March 1996
Box 25, Folder 4
Publicity April 1996-December 1996
Box 26, Folder 1
Publicity, February, 1997
Box 26, Folder 3
Publicity, April-December, 1997
Box 30, Folder 1
News Clippings, 1990-1991
Box 28
Passion of Jonathan Wade, April 1991
Box 28
Faust, 1989-1988
Actors: David Malis, Jane Bunnehh
Box 28
Rope of Lucretia
Actors: Louis Otey as Tarquinius
Box 28
H Travatore, 1987-1988
Actors: Dolora Zajick, Jonathan Summers
