Adam Itzel Jr. and John Itzel orchestral arrangements

Collection

Identifier: PIMS-0062

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains manuscript scores of instrumental and operatic arrangements made by Adam Itzel Jr. and John Itzel, though most are the work of Adam. Most of the arranged musical works are popular light operas, such as by Offenbach, Johann Strauss II, and Gilbert and Sullivan. Also included are manuscript scores of original compositions by Adam Itzel Jr., including The Tar and the Tartar. Many of the scores include dates of performances and newspaper clippings which may be significant in the history of Baltimore’s musical community.

The second series of this collection includes the diplomas that Adam Itzel Jr. and John Itzel received upon completion of their studies at the Peabody Conservatory.

Dates

1879 - 1933
Majority of material found within 1879 - 1890

Creator

Itzel, Adam, 1864-1893 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for use at the Peabody Archives. Contact peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu for more information.

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

Peabody lecturer and composer Adam Itzel was born in Baltimore in 1864 as George Adam Itzel Jr. A child prodigy and multi-instrumentalist, he enrolled in the Peabody Conservatory at a young age, graduating with distinction in 1882. Following his time as a student at Peabody, Adam Itzel established himself as prolific composer while arranging instrumental, choral, and operatic works to earn a living. In 1890, he joined the faculty at Peabody, where he taught theory and arranging and led the student orchestra. He also conducted the orchestra of the Academy of Music and composed a light opera, The Tar and the Tartar, which premiered to popular acclaim in Chicago in 1891. He died from tuberculosis in 1893 at the age of 29.

Cousin to Adam, John Itzel was born in Baltimore in 1868 and graduated from the Peabody Conservatory in 1888. Like Adam, John Itzel was primarily a composer, arranger, and conductor specializing in light operas. He was a prominent figure in Baltimore’s musical community as director of the Academy of Music, the Baltimore Municipal Band, assistant conductor of the Peabody Conservatory Orchestra, orchestral representative of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and supervisor of instrumental music in the Baltimore public school system. John Itzel died in 1933.

Extent

9.49 Cubic Feet (24 medium flat boxes, 2 large flat boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Cousins Adam Itzel Jr. and John Itzel were conductors, arrangers, composers, and educators who studied and taught at the Peabody Conservatory in the late 19th century. The collection includes manuscript scores of light orchestral or operatic music arranged primarily by Adam Itzel Jr., as well as manuscript scores of some of his original compositions.

Custodial History

After the death of Adam Itzel Jr., his widow married John Itzel and the collection of Adam's manuscripts came into John's possession. It is unclear how the collection was later transferred to Peabody.