The Flyleaf, 1993
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
z mv i no. The Flyleaf ifiilM# Friends of Fondren Library Vol. 44, No. 1 Fall 1993 The late Scott Heumann, honored by the new Scott Heumann Music Collection in Fondren Library ^£ , A LETTER TO THE FRIENDS Dear Friends: Brunch on October 23rd was presented to Robert L. Patten, Ph.D., for his many years of I wonder how many of you still feel, as I tireless work for the Library and many kindnesses do, the special quickening of a new academic year to the Friends. On April 9th we are honored to have — that pull of new beginnings with its assurance of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin M. Anderson as our special fresh experience waiting just ahead. I feel this with guests and honorees at the Fourteenth Fondren particular keenness as I begin a year as the new Saturday Night. president of Friends of Fondren Library Of course, this year will be one of special Elaine Davis guided the Friends through excitement throughout Rice University as our new two years of exciting growth. The Fondren Satur- president, Malcolm Gillis, leads us forward. Un- day Night has become increasingly popular as doubtedly there will be fresh challenges for Rice more and more Friends come out to honor such and we are determined that the Friends of Fondren distinguished benefactors to our University as the Library will be ready, as always, to help our Univer- Autry and Kelley families and H. Malcolm Lovett. sity Librarian, Beth Shapiro, meet her share of those The programs, under the direction of Charles challenges and to aid in any growth that Fondren Maynard, continually present some of the best and Library experiences in the years ahead. brightest to our community. And the Book Sale, I look forward to seeing many of you during held last April under the guidance of Karen the course of the year, and I thank you for your Rogers and Joan Ryan, proved so successful it support of the Friends. bears repeating. Friday evening, November 19th, there will be a member's preview at the new sale Sincerely, site, 2407 Times Boulevard in the University Village. The sale will continue from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 20th, and 1:00 ROXANNE KLEIN SHAW President, Friends of p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 21st. Fondren Library FONDREN LIBRARY THE FRIENDS OF THE FLYLEAF FONDREN LIBRARY Founded under the charter of The Friends of Fondren Library Founded October 1950 and the university dated May 18, 1 891 the library was established in was founded in 1950 as an published quarterly by the Friends of library 1913. Its present building was association supporters of Fondren Library, Rice Univer- dedicated November 4, 1949, and interested in increasing and sity, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, rededicated in 1969 after a making better known the re- Texas 77251 -1892. substantial addition, both made sources of Fondren Library at The Flyleaf is a record of Fondren possible by gifts of Ella F. Fon- Rice University. The Friends, Library's and Friends' activities, dren, her children, and the Fon- through members' contributions and of the generosity of the dren Foundation and Trust as a and sponsorship of a program of library's supporters. tribute to Walter William Fondren. memorials and honor gifts, secure The library celebrated its half- gifts and bequests, and provide for millionth volume in 1965 and its funds the purchase of rare one- millionth volume on April 22, books, manuscripts, and other 1979. materials that are needed to support teaching and research at the university. n f) £ Contents RSCE - Scott Heumann: A Tribute Page 2 Ten Top Reasons for Friends to Use and Enjoy The Scott Collection Page 3 Heumann Fondren Library Page| 7> -.. jp ; Friends to Sponsor Friends Host Fall Book Sale Page 4 Homecoming Event Page 8 New Cold War Feared Page 5 Friends of Fondren Library Page 10 Roxanne Klein Shaw, New President of the Friends Gifts and Memorials Page 11 of Fondren Library Page 6 Membership Page 19 Cover photograph courtesy of the Houston Grand Opera See story on page 2. Managing Editor, William Pannill; Editorial Advisors: Walter S. Baker, Jr., Bettie Carrell, Betty Charles, Elaine I. Davis, Barbara Kile, Charles D. Maynard, Jr., Mrs. William H. Merriman III, Karen Hess Rogers, Joan Ryan, and Beth Shapiro Photographs by Betty Charles and Bill Merriman BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1993-94 OFFICERS Roxanne K. Shaw, President Ronald W. Blake, Vice President, Walter S. Baker, Jr. Membership Elizabeth Hutcheson Carrell Charles D. Maynard, Jr., Vice President, Programs Mrs. William P. Conner Texas Anderson, Ph.D., Sally K. Reynolds, Harry Gee, Jr. Karen Hess Rogers, Vice Presidents, Special Events Oscar D. Graham II David S. Elder, Secretary Diana P. Hobby Herman J. Schultz, M.D., Treasurer Mrs. Thomas W. Houghton Elaine lllig Davis, Immediate Past President Elizabeth W. Kidd EX-OFFICIO Edward H. Koehler, Jr. Mrs. William H. Merriman III Beth J. Shapiro, Ph.D., University Librarian William Pannill G. Anthony Gorry, Ph.D., Vice President for Oliver Pennington Graduate Studies, Research and Information Systems James L. Kinsey, Ph.D., Interim Provost Joan Ryan Meredith A. Skura, Ph.D., Chair of the University Frank C. Shelden, Jr. Committee on the Library Kathryn V. Smyser Betty D. Charles, Executive Director The Flyleaf Page 1 Collections: Scott Heumann: A Tribute By Bonnie Sue Wooldridge Fondren Library received a large musical ad- Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Alley Theater, Society dition this year in the Scott Heumann Collec- for the Performing Arts, and Theatre Under The tion. Mr. and Mrs. J. Roger Heumann gave Stars. In 1983, he joined the staff of Houston Grand Fondren Library the collection of compact discs, Opera. audio cassette tapes, and recordings amassed by His responsibilities as dramaturge often took their late son, Scott Heumann. There are more him deep into research to select the score to be used, than 2,000 items in the collection. the musical cuts to be made, and the translation. As Scott died May 13, 1993, at the age of 42. artistic administrator, he recommended the singers He held the title of artistic administrator and to be cast in HGO productions. dramaturge at Houston Grand Opera from 1983 He was a walking reference for anything to 1991. From then until his death, he was artistic associated with the world of opera. advisor and dramaturge of Houston Grand The opera world acclaimed him for his Opera and career advisor to Houston Opera pioneering work in the use of surtitles — the English Studio — the HGO training program for young translation of songs — that operas recently began to artists. flash above the stage. His knowledge of Italian, A native of Tulsa, Scott moved to Hous- German, and French enabled him to assure that a ton as a child. In a home of culture and refine- surtitle represented the best possible translation of a ment where both parents were music lovers, he phrase or a sentence. was exposed at an early age to the joys of classi- A respected writer, Scott's reviews, feature cal music and opera. articles, and program notes have appeared in major After hearing a broadcast of the opera publications through the country. Boris Godunov by Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky His life was characterized by articulate expres- at the age of 11, he pestered his mother to buy sion, uncompromising artistic integrity, unflagging him a recording for his 12th birthday. That personal ethics and honesty, and complete commit- recording began his collection. ment to the art of opera. He showed a gentle humility While a student at Kinkaid, Scott sought and absence of self-aggrandizement. He insisted on to learn everything possible about opera. He strict adherence to the rules of English grammar and haunted the Fine Arts Room of the Houston composition. Opera lovers appreciated his rapier wit Public Library, then in the Julia Ideson Building arid enthusiasm for the highest standards of perfor- — "a romantic place with a musty smell," in mance. His interest in young singers and his honest Scott's own words. Every week he checked out a and kind counsel and advice endeared him to many different recording. young artists and earned the respect of professional He attended Trinity University in San managers around the world. Antonio, receiving a B.A. degree in Theater and Scott was a serious collector of recordings English. He did graduate work at the University and tapes. He viewed the appearance of compact of Cincinnati, earning an M.A. in English litera- disc technology with interest, but not immediate ture. acquiescence. When he finally became convinced of He began to review concerts and perfor- the advantages and quality of this new technology, mances while in San Antonio and continued to do he hastily began to invest in the new discs. He so in Cincinnati. disposed of many of his recordings in wonderful Scott's career took him to Dallas as a sales to his fellow HGO staff members. writer, editor, and free-lance opera critic. In 1977 The resulting collection donated to Fondren Scott returned to Houston to work first as a free- Library and Shepherd School of Music represents a lance writer, and then as editor of Performing large resource for students of Shepherd School of Arts Magazine, the official program of Houston Music and for all music lovers. The Flyleaf Page 2 Collections cont'd. Scott Heumann's parents: Roger and Pat Heumann with Paul Orkiszewski (center) The Scott Heumann Collection By Paul Orkiszewski Music Librarian of the repertoire to having numerous performances The Scott Heumann Collection consists of recordings of complete operas, albums of opera in a variety of styles and interpretations.