The Inventory

of the

Olive Fremstad

Collection

#365

Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center Fremstad, Olive 1871-1951 #12J Gift of Antonia Stone, November 1994. (The material belonged to Ms. Stone's mother.)

Mme. Fremstad was a Swedish-born American dramatic soprano who specialized in Wagnerian roles but was also successful in Tosca and other Italian roles. She sang in the first American performance of the Strauss opera at the Metropolitan. Her career at the Met spanned the years 1903-1914.

This small collection of 2 manuscript boxes consisting of two volumes of bound songs for recitals, 1915-1916; several photographs of her in Wagnerian roles, of which some are signed, and one photograph of her at home in later life. There is a drawing of her in costume, a shawl she wore on her way to work, a ring used in Gotterdarnrnerung; a piece of green brocade belonging to her and an eyeglass case. Elenita Lindi wrote an article "Olive Fremstad" in the Winter 1960-61 issue of The American Scandinavian Review.. The copy in the collection is signed by Mme. Fremstad.

A volume from her library: SONGS FROM THE NORTH, edited by Valborg Stub, 2nd ed., 1895 is catalogued for Special Collections as YM 1619 S88 S6 1895.

Eight of her recordings (78 rpm) are in the Music Library.

Boxl I. MUSIC: 2 leather bound volumes of printed song scores marked and with some holograph musical direction.

1. Song Recital Program I. Season 1915-1916. (#1)

Carbon typescript program pasted in front of book. Consists of Schubert, Schumann, Sibelius, Grief, Wolf and Strauss.

2. Song Recital Program II. Season 1915-1916. (#2)

Carbon typescript program pasted in front of book. Several of the scores in this volume are hand copies. Consists of Schubert, Brahams, Strauss, Wolf and folk songs.

II. PHOTOGRAPHS OF OLIVE FREMSTAD.

1. At home seated at desk in front of window with cat on desk, from page 2. (#3)

2. As Kundry in . Mishkin, NY. Signed inscription to ''Tinka" with several bars of music.

3. As Isolde (?) H. Mishkin, NY.

4. As Brunhilde. White, NY. Box2 5. Framed. As Elsa in . Signed inscription to the Rev. and Mrs. S. Halsted Watkins.

6. Framed. As Isolde. Mishkin, NY. Signed inscription to "Tink:a" with the first three bars of "Tristan and Isolde."

7. Framed. Statue of OF in costume as Elsa. Boxl III. DRAWING.

1. OF in Wagnerian costume as Brunhilde. Signed Mary F. Watkins, 1911. (#4)

IV. PRINTED.

1. "Olive Fremstad" by Elenita Lindi in The American Scandinavian Review. (#5)

V. MEMORABILIA.

1. White silk shawl worn by OF over her head and throat on her way to work and back.

2. Gold brocade eyeglass case (heavily worn) made from the curtain of the House.

3. Brocade fabric, green background with pink, red, and yellow flowers interwoven.

4. Heavy metal ring used in Wagner's opera Gotterdammerung. Fremstad, Olive 12/07/99 Addenda (Purchase)

Box#2 Folder# 2

I. Correspondence. A. 1 ANS to "Miss Cather." From OF re: trip to Paris and . July 25th (no yearly date).