Richard Bonelli Collection, 1911-1986

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Summary

Abstract:
The collection consists of Bonelli's letters, documents, photographs, programs, publications, scores, scrapbooks, audiovisual materials, posters and newspaper clippings.
Extent:
22 linear feet
Language:
English and Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Richard Bonelli Collection, ARS-0005. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes several hundred personal and business letters; documents ranging from private matters, such as his divorce papers from his first wife Pauline Curley, to professional matters, such as his multiple opera contracts; photographs from his childhood and family, a large number of promotional portrait photographs, some featuring him in costume for various opera roles; a collection of programs; publications, mainly dealing with opera companies; annotated opera vocal scores and songs; seven scrapbooks containing mainly newspaper clippings; audiovisual materials; testimonials; and posters and newspaper clippings.

Biographical / historical:

Baritone Richard Bonelli was born Richard Bunn in Port Byron, New York on Feb. 2, 1889. His voice teachers were Arthur Alexander in Los Angeles, and Jean de Reszke and William Valonat in Paris. His operatic debut was as Valentin in Gounod's Faust at the Brooklyn Academy in 1915. From 1922-24 he toured the U.S. with the San Carlo opera company. After touring in Europe with the Max Sauter Company in 1925, he was engaged at the Theatre Gaite Lyrique in Paris. That same year he was to join the Chicago Opera Company, remaining there until 1931. Between 1926 and 1942 he was a frequent guest at the San Francisco Opera, and was also a member of the Metropolitan Opera from 1932-45. After retiring from the stage he dedicated himself to voice pedagogy and was a much-appreciated teacher. He taught at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and at the Music Academy of the West. Richard Bonelli died in Los Angeles on June 7, 1980.

Arrangement:

Series 1. Correspondence. 2. Documents. 3. Photographs. 4. Programs. 5. Publications. 6. Scores. 7. Scrapbooks. 8. Publications. 9. Films. 10. Sound recordings. 11. Testimonials and awards. 12. Posters and snakes. 13. News clippings. 14. Miscellany.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Listening appointments may require 24 hours notice. Contact the Archive Operations Manager.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with repository. Publication and reproduction rights reside with the creators or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Head Librarian of the Archive of Recorded Sound.

Preferred citation:

Richard Bonelli Collection, ARS-0005. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3076, US
Contact:
(650) 723-9312
soundarchive@stanford.edu
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