Fernanda Doria papers

Collection

Identifier: PIMS-0025

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Fernanda Doria papers (1894-1955) contain concert programs, correspondence, photographs, and newspaper clippings related to Doria’s opera career. Series 1 consists of scrapbooks that contain clippings and concert programs. Series 2 contains personal documents such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, and additional concert programs.

Dates

1894 - 1955

Creator

Doria, Fernanda (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for use at the Peabody Archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or perform materials in this collection must be submitted in writing to the archivist of the Arthur Friedheim Library.

Biographical / Historical

Born in San Francisco in 1885, Fernanda Pratt was an active operatic contralto who toured around the world under the performance names Fernanda Doria or Doria Fernanda. Variations of her stage name are common. She was considered one of the most influential contraltos of her time, beginning her career performing with the Scotti Opera Company. She then moved on to perform with the Chicago Civic Opera, San Francisco Opera, Philadelphia Civic Opera Company, and the San Carlo Opera Company. Doria also performed internationally, singing in Mexico, England, and Italy. She is most known for her roles as Carmen in Carmen, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana, Azucena in Il Trovatore, and Siebel in Faust. After retiring from the stage, Doria taught at Western Maryland College where she was a Special Instructor in Music. She passed away in 1950.

Extent

1.71 Cubic Feet (1 full letter-sized box, 1 small flat box, 3 medium flat boxes, 2 large flat boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Fernanda Doria papers consist of scrapbooks with clippings, concert programs, and photographs related to her career as an operatic contralto in the early twentieth century, as well as correspondence and other personal documents.

Custodial History

Deaccessioned from Western Maryland College. Given to Leigh Martinet by Carl Dietrich, Chairman of the Music Department at Western Maryland College.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Leigh Martinet in 1998.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital copies of many photographs in the collection are available offline. Contact the Peabody Archives for more information.

Processing Information

Processed by Grace Ming-hsuan Tsai in 2016.

Processing Information

The material in box 6 of series 2 appears to have once been mounted in a binder or scrapbook. Each folder contains material that came from a specific binder/scrapbook.