James A. Drake collection on Rosa Ponselle
Scope and Contents
The James A. Drake collection on Rosa Ponselle, approximately 1923-1978, contains three phonograph records and 33 audio cassette recordings related to singer Rosa Ponselle. The bulk of the cassette recordings are interviews conducted by Drake in the 1970s as part of his work co-authoring Ponselle's autobiography. Drake interviews Ponselle herself and many close personal and professional associates, including her brother, Tony Ponselle (Antonio Ponzillo); fellow opera singers Luciano Pavarotti and Nina Morgana; her ex-husband, Carle Jackson; and several friends and assistants. Also included are two unpublished recordings by RCA Victor of Ponselle singing in the 1920s and a private recording from 1952 of Ponselle singing along to a recording by Enrico Caruso.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1923-1978
Creator
- Drake, James A. (Person)
- Ponselle, Rosa, 1897-1981 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for use at the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives of the Peabody Institute. Contact peabodyarchives@lists.jh.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
Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) was one of the leading operatic sopranos of the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1970s, Ponselle collaborated with biographer James A. Drake on writing her memoirs. Drake made audio recordings of interviews with Ponselle and her associates at Ponselle's home in Baltimore, known as Villa Pace. Drake used the interview recordings in co-authoring Ponselle: A Singer's Life (Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co., 1982), published a year after Ponselle's death.
Extent
0.25 Cubic Feet (3 phonograph records and 1 flat box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
In the 1970s, retired opera singer Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) collaborated with biographer James A. Drake on writing her memoirs. Drake made audio recordings of interviews with Ponselle and her associates at Ponselle's home in Baltimore, known as Villa Pace. This collection contains interview recordings and other audio recordings about Ponselle created or collected by Drake.
Arrangement
Items are listed in the original order of the donor-supplied appraisal.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Source media are 78-rpm phonograph records and audio cassettes. Access may be limited depending on the physical condition of each item, as well as the department's ability to support the playback of recordings stored on outdated media. Please contact the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of James A. Drake in 2020.
Processing Information
Processed by Matt Testa in 2024. Because the information written on the source media or containers is extremely limited, this finding aid incorporates description from the donor-supplied collection appraisal about individual recordings.
- Title
- Guide to the James A. Drake collection on Rosa Ponselle
- Author
- Matt Testa
- Date
- 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Peabody Archives Repository
Peabody Institute
1 E. Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore MD 21202 USA
peabodyarchives@lists.jhu.edu