Opera Air Check Recordings collection, 1937-1956

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Summary

Creators:
University of California, Santa Barbara. Archive of Recorded Vocal Music
Abstract:
350 instantaneous disc air check recordings of mostly Metropolitan and San Francisco Opera live performance broadcasts (in addition to other, unnamed orchestras) from 1937 to 1956. Because the provenance of these discs is not known, they have been retained, though duplicate recordings of these performances may be held elsewhere.
Extent:
4 linear feet (350 record discs).
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Opera Air Check Recordings collection. PA Mss 91, Department of Special Collections, University Libraries, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

The Opera Air Check Recordings collection comprises air checks of mostly Metropolitan and San Francisco Opera live perfomance broadcasts on recorded instantaneous discs, from 1937 to 1956, in addition to other unnamed orchestras from the same time period. Some of the conductors represented in these recordings include Bruno Walter, Arturo Toscanini, and Sir Thomas Beecham. Singers include Lauritz Melchior, Ezio Pinza, Jan Peerce, Lily Pons, Licia Albanese, Ljuba Welitsch, Zinka Milanov, among others. Many of these broadcasts were sponsored by the Texas Company (Texaco) and carried on the Blue Network, with announcements and commentary by Milton Cross.

Acquisition information:
Provenance unknown
Arrangement:

The collection has been divided into the following series: I. Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, II. San Francisco Opera broadcasts, III. Miscellaneous broadcasts, IV. Sponsored broadcasts (not Texaco), V. Re-recordings.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Use governed by UCSB Special Collections policy.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred citation:

Opera Air Check Recordings collection. PA Mss 91, Department of Special Collections, University Libraries, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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