Yvette Matthews papers
Scope and Contents
The Yvette Matthews papers, approximately 1965-2021, contain professional files consisting of programs, clippings, publicity materials, and notes related to Matthews' singing career; photographs, resumes, and other biographical materials; a CD recording of a choir featuring Matthews as a soloist; and printed vocal scores annotated by Matthews.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1965-2021
Creator
- Matthews, Yvette, 1948-2020 (Person)
Language of Materials
The bulk of the materials are in English. A few programs are in French, Italian, or Japanese. Some vocal scores are in French, Italian, or German.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for use at the Arthur Friedheim Library Archives of the Peabody Institute. 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
Yvette Yvonne Matthews was a mezzo-soprano. She was born as Yvette Hopp on November 16, 1948, and grew up in the Cherry Hill community of Baltimore. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education from Coppin State College in 1971. In 1973, she was introduced to the musician A. Maurice Murphy, who tutored her privately and at the Peabody Preparatory in vocal technique and opera. Matthews won several local vocal competitions and appeared with ensembles such as the Baltimore Opera Company, the Baltimore Symphony Opera, and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. In the 1980s and 1990s, Matthews sang with the Houston Grand Opera Company on tours throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. She played the roles of Lily and "Strawberry Woman" in several productions of Porgy and Bess.
In the late 1990s, Matthews gave up her singing career to care for her family. After 2000, she directed an aftercare program at the Roland Park Country School's middle school and sang regularly at the Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. Matthews died May 6, 2020.
(From collection materials and Edward Lee, "Yvette Matthews" [obituary], The Baltimore Sun, June 8, 2020, p. 6.)
Extent
0.86 Cubic Feet (1 legal-sized document box; 1 medium flat box)
Abstract
Yvette Matthews (1948-2020) was a mezzo-soprano from Baltimore. She studied at the Peabody Preparatory and sang with ensembles such as the Baltimore Opera Company, the Baltimore Symphony Opera, and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. In the 1980s and 1990s, Matthews sang with the Houston Grand Opera Company on tours throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. The Yvette Matthews papers, approximately 1965-2021, contain professional files consisting of programs, clippings, publicity materials, and notes related to Matthews' singing career; photographs, resumes, and other biographical materials; and printed vocal scores annotated by Matthews.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Maria Hampton and the family of Yvette Matthews in 2021.
Processing Information
Processed by Matt Testa in 2023.
- Title
- Guide to the Yvette Matthews papers
- Author
- Matt Testa
- Date
- 2023
- 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