Singers

Frank E. Barney asks Theodore Roosevelt to grant him a favor and using Roosevelt’s influence to get Barney a special act of Congress which would allow him to receive his pension. Barney gives examples of his patriotism such as singing patriotic songs and naming his son after Abraham Lincoln. Barney hopes Roosevelt can help him because even though he made mistakes, he has spent a lot of time making up for them.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-18

Photograph of the Medora Musical’s Burning Hills singers at the Painted Canyon visitors’ center groundbreaking in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1977-08-13

President Roosevelt received opera singer Marcella Sembrich’s message from his sister, Corinne Roosevelt Robinson. He assures Sembrich that the American people have greatly appreciated her singing, and thanks her for generously using her voice to help philanthropic endeavors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-01

William Loeb acknowledges a letter from R. E. Johnston, a manager of musical acts on Broadway. Loeb informs Johnston that his acts are unlikely to be hired by Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt for the season’s entertainment at the White House.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-19

The Chorus of the West sings “America” at the opening ceremonies of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1904

Giulio Gatti-Casazza and Oscar Hammerstein throw puppets labeled “Tenor, Second Tenor, Contralto, Baritone, Basso, Mezzo Soprano, [and] High Soprano” at each other.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Operas in New York City once were popular attractions, with many productions in many theaters through the year. In opera season international stars would sing and prominent conductors lead orchestras. Similarly, talents from America and abroad launched careers on New York opera stages, especially after the advent of phonographs.

Roscoe Conkling is a street musician singing in the street outside the “Washington Senatorial Opera-House.” With him is a small dog labeled “Howard Carroll” who is holding a hat into which Puck, shedding a tear, drops a coin, and two street urchins, one recognizable as Ulysses S. Grant. Caption: Signor Conklingini (singing) – When Grant slipped up upon his nomination, / And failed to reach the presidential station, / Ten long years back it put this luckless nation. / And hence I sing – I sing – in lonely – lo-ho-honely degradation!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-05-16

Print shows Adelina Patti, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, holding a bouquet of flowers.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1881-12-21

Print shows a clash between the Academy of Music and the Metropolitan Opera, with Henry E. Abbey, opera singers, conductors, and orchestras. Some of the identified figures include Marcella Sembrich, Sofia Scalchi, Galassi, Trebelli, Roberto Stagno, Mirabelli, Campanini, and Col. Mapleson.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-10-31

An opera manager talks with an attractive young woman who aspires to be an opera singer. Two somewhat less attractive and considerably heavier women wearing costumes stand behind them. Caption: The Young One — But if my voice and acting are satisfactory, why is it you won’t let me sing “Juliette”? / Manager –Woman alive, I can’t! You are only nineteen, and as pretty as a picture, and you weigh less than 140 pounds!

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1913-02-12