Marni Nixon papers

Collection

Identifier: PIMS-0087

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Marni Nixon papers contain scores, recordings, and documents related to her lengthy career as a singer and actress. Scores include nearly 200 manuscript and Ozalid copies of popular songs arranged specifically for Nixon, many with corresponding part sets; printed scores annotated by Nixon; and some manuscripts. Recordings include reel-to-reel tapes, audiocassettes, and VHS videocassettes of Nixon in performance, including many guest appearances for Arthur Godfrey's radio programs. Other materials include concert programs, clippings, photographs, subject files, and other documents from her professional and personal life.

Dates

Creation: approximately 1950-2015

Creator

Nixon, Marni (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection contains unprocessed material and is subject to further review by archives staff before it will be available. 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

Marni Nixon (1930-2016) was a versatile American soprano who had a lengthy career performing in the worlds of musical theater, opera, popular song, and concert music. She was well known for her work as a "ghost singer" in several major film musicals of the 1950s and 1960s, performing the singing parts in The King and I, West Side Story, and My Fair Lady. In 2012 the Peabody Institute awarded her the George Peabody Medal for her contributions to American music.

Extent

50 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Other Finding Aids

Preliminary inventories to parts of the collection exist offline. Please contact the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Marni Nixon in 2014, and Martha Carr and Melani Gold Friedman in 2017. The 2017 transfer was largely prepared by Nixon's personal assistant, Laura Kaye.