Within our nearly 600 archival collections in the Music Division lie not only scores, sketches, correspondence and iconography, but countless untold stories. Being able to piece together these stories and uncover a stranger’s personality and contribution to our cultural history is one of the greatest joys I get to experience working here. A few weeks …
Archive for the ‘Theater’ Category (6 posts)
Posted in: Collections, Research, Theater
In the Muse wishes its readers a Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with this production still from Dragon Snee Zee, a marionette show made for the Federal Theatre Project. Visit the online exhibition Coast to Coast: The Federal Theatre Project, 1935-1939 to learn more about this fascinating collection.
Posted in: Collections, Holidays, Pic of the Week, Theater
The following is a guest post by Senior Cataloging Specialist Sharon McKinley. Elias Howe (July 9, 1819-Oct. 3, 1867) was the recipient, in 1846, of the first American patent for a sewing machine using a lockstitch design. The new machines revolutionized the garment industry, giving rise to sweatshops, and ultimately to the International Ladies Garment Workers …
Posted in: Collections, Guest bloggers, Sheet Music, Sheet Music of the Week, Theater
Last night I watched the host of Animal Planet’s River Monsters spend three hours trying to land a giant freshwater stingray. And I wondered, what might we have in the Music Divisions coffers that conveys such adventure and derring-do? I had to look no further than the Federal Theater Project collection, subject of the exhibit …
Posted in: Collections, Holidays, Pic of the Week, Theater
The following is a guest post from Theater Specialist Walter Zvonchenko. Among the most significant collections acquired by the Library of Congress in very recent time is the Oliver Smith Collection of theatrical design, now in the custody of the Music Division. One of the most highly regarded and sought after stage designers of the …
Posted in: Collections, Theater
His work has been interpreted by everyone from Barbara Streisand to Tim Burton. Lyricist-composer Stephen Sondheim, one of the great voices in American musical theater, was born on March 22, 1930. In 2000, The Library of Congress honored him with a Living Legend award, complete with an all-star 70th birthday concert in the Coolidge Auditorium. …
