Collection of Geraldine Farrar correspondence and other material

The material within this collection, including correspondence, photographs, promotional clippings, and articles, was primarily generated after Geraldine Farrar stopped singing operatic roles on stage. The bulk of the correspondence consists of handwrittenand typed letters from Farrar to Charles Mills (1957 Nov 1 –1967 Mar 15), and an extensive collection of similar letters between Farrar and William H. Seltsam (1930 Jun 25 –1966 Jul 22). The letters to Charles Mill concern normal cordial matters and occasionally mention performances Farrar saw and listened to, such as Puccini’s Tosca. The Mills letters also mention and describe performances Farrar worked with, befriended, or admired, including Mattia Battistini, Claudia Muzio, Emma Calvé, Nellie Melba,and her former teacher and colleague, Lilli Lehmann. The letters between Farrar and Seltsam primarily concern Farrar’s many recordings. Paper materials include one leather-bound book from Farrar to Marguerite Mills for her birthday in 1964, which contains a letter and a pencil sketch of an unknown face (perhaps Farrar or Mrs. Mills); other handwritten and typed letters, including those to Mr. Jerrold N. Moore, Mr. Howell, and Mr. Night; two ink sketches with a repertoire or program listing; a copy of Opera Newswith an article on Farrar’s death; and several articles about Farrar and the various roles she performed on stage. The collection also includes photographs, both of Farrar in portraits and Farrar in costume for various roles.