Lillie Ronvo Collection of Dance and Music Materials 12028397Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Butler Library, 6th FloorColumbia University, Mail Code 1127535 W. 114th St.New York, NY 10027Business Number: (212) 854-5153Fax Number: (212) 854-1365rbml@libraries.cul.columbia.eduURL:

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This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-01-10 12:17:44 -0500.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard2016-06-28File created.2016-06-30XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi2019-05-20EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration. Rare Book and Manuscript Library Lillie Ronvo Collection of Dance and Music Materials Ronvo, Lillie, 1922-2011 12028397 MS#1796 English , Hebrew , Russian , French , Japanese . 3.94 linear feet 7 document boxes and 1 record carton 1915-2002 1952-1991 Lillie Rovno was deployed by the United States military in Germany, Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii, and continued to travel the world in later years. A scholar of Russian culture interested in performance arts, Rovno collected materials on a broad array of art forms: Kabuki and Japanese visual arts, ballet, Jewish music, and Italian music. The collection includes numerous photos, some autographed, of prominent ballet performers from the former Soviet Union, Cuba, and the U.S., with many of the photos documenting visits of Soviet ballet companies to the U.S. in the 1980s and early 1990s. The collection also contains musical scores from Italy, the U.S., and Israel, including Israeli songbooks from the early 1950s. Arrangement

This collection is arranged in three series and several subseries.

 Restrictions on Access

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

 Restrictions on Access

This collection has no restrictions.

 Summary

The collection is composed of 3.94 linear feet of material collected by Rovno. It consists of books on Kabuki history and albums with images of dancers, as well as playbills and souvenir programs from Japanese Kabuki companies' performances in the U.S. In addition, this is an extensive collection of ballet memorabilia, containing souvenir programs and playbills from performances of Soviet-Union and American Ballet companies, as well as a large number of photographs of ballet dancers, some of which are signed. The collection also includes musical scores for piano, including arrangements of complete ballets or excerpts thereof, Italian and Jewish folk songs, and opera arias, as well as song books of Israeli folk songs. The collection as a whole encompasses materials from 1930-2002.

 Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Lillie Rovno Collection of Dance and Music Materials; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

 Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

 Immediate Source of Acquisition

2015-2016-M137: Source of acquisition--Roberta Gordon. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--April 22, 2016.

 Biographical / Historical

Lillie Rovno was deployed by the United States military in Germany, Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii, and continued to travel the world in later years. A scholar of Russian culture interested in performance arts, Rovno collected materials on a broad array of art forms: Kabuki and Japanese visual arts, ballet, Jewish music, and Italian music.

 Processing Information

Papers processed by Orit Hilewicz (GSAS) June 2016.

 Processing Information

Finding aid written by Orit Hilewicz (GSAS) June 2016.

 Processing Information

Papers appraised Cole Ferry March 1, 2016.

 Accrual

No additions are expected

 Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

 Ballet Kabuki Ukiyoe Clippings (Information Artifacts) Coffee-table books Photographs Playbills Portfolios (groups of works) Sheet music Souvenir programs Ricordi vocal score series Andō, Hiroshige, 1797-1858 Minkus, L., 1826-1917 Pugni, Cesare, 1802-1870 Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilich, 1840-1893 American Ballet Theatre Bolʹshoĭ teatr SSSR. Balet Joffrey Ballet Leningradskiĭ gosudarstvennyĭ akademicheskiĭ teatr opery i baleta imeni S.M. Kirova Mariinskiĭ teatr (1991- ). Balet Gosudarstvennyĭ ansamblʹ narodnogo tant︠s︡a Soi︠u︡za SSR Moscow City Ballet Opéra de Paris. Ballet Kongelige Danske ballet Ansambli "Rustʻavi" Stuttgarter Ballett Series I: Ballet Memorabilia1966-2002Scope and Contents

Ballet Memorabilia contains Souvenir programs, playbills, and photographs of Ballet performances and dancers from the former Soviet Union, Cuba, American Ballet Theater, and Joffrey Ballet.

Subseries I.1: Ballet Programs and Clippings1978-2002Scope and Contents

Ballet Programs and Clippings includes souvenir programs and newspaper clippings from performances of ballet companies in New York. Most of the programs document visits of Soviet Union ballet companies—Kirov, Donetsk, and others—in 1982-1991, year of the Soviet Union's dissolution. More recent materials include Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theater, the Mariinsky Theater Ballet programs, as well as a profile program on Vladimir Vasiliev, former director of the Bolshoi Ballet, from 2000, when he was dismissed from the company.

Donetsk Ballet, New York City Center, 1989 February198911Moscow Ballet (Gordeyev's Tour), Baltimore and Trenton, 1987 September -November198712Othello: American Ballet Theater, United States19971Swan Lake: American Ballet Theater, United States, 2001 May20011Ballet in Berlin, United States, 1978 July19781Ballet du Theatre Kirov de Leningrad, France, 1982 April19821Bolshoi Ballet (4), Russia, 1999/20001Scope and Contents

(editions 1, 2, 3, 5)

The Bolshoi Opera, United States, 1991 July19911Don Cossacks, United States, 1990 January19901Scope and Contents

(Program with Playbill)

The Georgian State Dance Company, United States, 1990 October19901Scope and Contents

(item is in Carson-Brierly Dance Library Souvenir and House Program Collection, University of Denver, Colorado)

The Mariinsky Theatre Ballet, United States20021Moiseyev Dance Company, United States, 1991 September19911Scope and Contents

(including Radio City Playbill)

The Rustavi Company, United States, 1990 April19901Stuttgart Ballet, United States, 1979 June19791Scope and Contents

(forward written by Clive Barnes (1927-2008), renowned dance and theater critic for NY Times and NY Post)

Vladimiar Vasiliev Profile Program, Russia20001Scope and Contents

(Vasiliev (b. 1940) was director of the Bolshoi until 2000 when he heard of his dismissal on the radio)

Subseries I.2: Photographscirca 1966-1992Scope and Contents

Photographs includes numerous dated and undated photos, mostly of ballet performers from the former Soviet Union. The folders, arranged for the most part by company, include the Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet (which was later renamed the Mariinky Ballet), and Donetsk Ballet. Many of the photos are autographed by the dancers. Other folders include photos of the Cuban National Ballet from the 1960s and 1970s, Royal Danish Ballet, American Ballet Theater, and the Joffrey Ballet's revival of Nijinsky's choreography to Debussy'sL'Apres-midi d'un Faune,featuring Rudolf Nureyev's as the Faune. Photos were taken by photographers Nina Alovert, Petra Bober, Louis Peres, William Reilly, Susan Richelle, and others.

Bolshoi Ballet, 1973-1979 undated1973-1979undated51Scope and Contents

(including autographed photos)

Bessmertnova, Tatiana51Koslov, Leonid and wife Valentina51Nureyev, Rudolph51Vlasova, Ludmila51and others51Bolshoi Ballet, 1966 1973-1979 undated19661973-1979undated52Plisteskaya, May a52Vasiliev, Vladimir52and others52Bolshoi Ballet, 1987-1988 undated1987-1988undated53Scope and Contents

(including autographed photos)

Ananiashvili, Nina53Baryshnikov, Mikhail53Liepa, Andris53Pcholkin, Vladimir53Bolshoi Ballet, Color Photos198771Baryshnikov, Mikhail71Liepa, Andris71Vasiliev, Vladimir71and others71Bolshoi, 1987 July198772Khanashvili-Artyushkina, Alla72Vetrov, Alexander72and others72Bolshoi, 1987 July198773Bylova, Maria73Semizorova, Nina73Vasyuchenko, Yuri73and others73Bolshoi, 1987 July198774Ananiashvili, Nina74Gordeyev, Vyacheslav74Semenyaka, Ludmila74Vasiliev, Vladimir74and others74Kirov Balletundated54Scope and Contents

(including autographed photos)

Asylmuratova, Altynai54Ruzimatov, Farukh54Zaklinsky, Konstantin54Kirov Ballet, 1988-1989 undated1988-1989undated55Scope and Contents

(including autographed photos)

Asylmuratova, Altynai55Korneev, Dmitri55Makarova, Natalia55Ruzimatov, Farukh55Zaklinsky, Konstantin55Kirov Ballet1987 undated56Scope and Contents

(including autographed photos)

Asylmuratova, Altynai56Ruzimatov, Farukh56Terekhova, Tatiana56Zaklinsky, Konstantin56Kirov Balletundated57Ivanova, Veronika57Pankova, Elena57Kirov Ballet, circa 1989 1992 undatedcirca 19891992 undated75Asylmuratova, Altynai75Korneev, Dmitri75Ruzimatov, Farukh75Zaklinsky, Konstantin75Zelensky, Igor75and others75Korneev, Dmitri1989 undated76Scope and Contents

(including photo of son Nikita at age 2)

Farukh Ruzimatov and Altynai Asylmuratova, 1988 July198877Scope and Contents

(guests with ABT inLa Bayadere)

Kirov Balletundated78Asylmuratova, Altynai78Korneev, Dmitri78Donetsk Ballet, City Center, 1989 February198979Dorofeyevna, Inna79Skirmantas, Petras79and others79Cuban Ballet1966 undated58Alvarez, Cristina58Araujo, Loipa58Carreño, Lazaro58Suarez, Rosario58Williams, Andres58and others58Cuban Ballet, 1976 1978 undated19761978 undated59Alonso, Alicia59Salgado, Orlando59Suarez, Rosario59and others59Royal Danish Ballet1982712Gala--Paris Opera Ballet1988713Scope and Contents

(including handwritten note with contents)

Nureyev, Rudolf713and others713American Ballet Theater, 1971-1980 undated1971-1980undated510Scope and Contents

(includes a newspaper clipping)

Baryshnikov, Mikhail510Bortoluzzi, Paolo510Bruhn, Erik510Bujones, Fernando510Cragun, Richard510D'Antuono, Eleanor510Fracci, Carla510Gregory, Cynthia510Haydee, Marcia510Kirkland, Gelsey510Makarova, Natalia and husband Edward Karkar510Morishita, Yoko510Nagy, Ivan510Nureyev, Rudolph510Paredes, Marcos and wife Martha510and others510American Ballet Theaterundated511Gregory, Cynthia511and others511American Ballet Theater, 1967 1975-1979 undated19671975-1979undated512Scope and Contents

(includes greeting cards with dancers' images and a newspaper clipping)

Baryshnikov, Mikhail512Gregory, Cynthia512Nureyev, Rudolf512American Ballet Theater, "Bayadera," 1978-1985 undated1978-1985undated710Scope and Contents

(including newspaper clippings)

Makarova, Natalia710Plisetskaya, May a710and others710Gelvan--American Ballet Theater, Berlin Ballet, 1975-1980 undated1975-1980undated711Evdomikova, Eva711Gelvan, Vladimir711Hamel, Martine van711Nureyev, Rudolf711Panov, Valery and Galena711Vasiliev, Vladimir711and others711Nureyev, Rudolf, 1973-1979 undated1973-1979undated513Scope and Contents

(Homage to Diaghelev, Miscellaneous--head shots, etc. candid street shots, ABT, etc., Ballet News)

Gehm, Charlene513Nureyev, Rudolf513and others513Nureyev, "Faune"1979514Scope and Contents

(Joffrey Ballet)

Gehm, Charlene514Nureyev, Rudolf514and others514Nureyev, "Faune," 1975-1980 undated1975-1980undated515Scope and Contents

(Joffrey Ballet)

Baryshnikov, Mikhail515Gehm, Charlene515Godunov, Alexander515Nureyev, Rudolf515and others515Nureyev, Rudolf19795Extra pictures: Nureyev (Diaghelev), Cuban Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, 1979 1984 undated19791984 undated714Scope and Contents

(including newspaper clipping on Amparo Brito)

Brito, Amparo714Godunov, Alexander714Nureyev, Rudolf714Suarez, Rosario714Vlasova, Ludmila714and others714Choice Pictures, 1979-1980 undated1979-1980undated715Godunov, Alexander715Nureyev, Rudolf715and others715New Pictures--Unsorted, 1975-1981 undated1975-1981undated716Baryshnikov, Mikhail716Godunov, Alexander and Naomi716Jaffe, Susan716Kirkland, Gelsey716Nureyev, Rudolf716and others716Miscellaneous Photos1979 undated81Gordeyev, Vyacheslav81Nureyev, Rudolf81Pavlova, Nadia81Series II: Japanese Art--Kabuki Books and Memorabilia, Ukiyo-e Books1978-1987Scope and Contents

This series contains collection materials related to Japanese art.

Subseries II.1: Kabuki Books1978-1987Scope and Contents

This subseries includes, for the most part, Kabuki plays translated to English and photo books of Kabuki actors. Several of the books focus on Tamasaburo Bando (b. 1950), a celebrated onnagata (the term for male Kabuki actors who specialize in depicting women).

Leiter, Samuel L. The Art of Kabuki: Famous Plays in Performance19791Bando, Tamasaburoundated6Scope and Contents

(all Japanese text)

Gunji, Masakatsu Kabuki19856Scope and Contents

(reissue of earlier book)

The Kabuki19876Usui, Kenzo,Ebizo Kara Danjuro E , 1985 (2 copies)19856Scope and Contents

(text is in Japanese)

Brandon, James R. Kabuki: Five Classic Plays19757Tamasaburo Bando19788Scope and Contents

(photography by Kishin Shinoyama)

Portfolio of Tamasaburo Bando19838Scope and Contents

(2 copies, photography by Shunji Okura)

Kabuki: Eighteen Traditional Dramas19858Kabuki19798Scope and Contents

(photography by Chiaki Yoshida; text entirely in Japanese)

Gunji, Masakatsu Kabuki19808Scope and Contents

(later reissue also in collection)

Kawatake, Toshio Kabuki: Danjuro's Lucky Eighteen19848Scope and Contents

(photography by Iwata Akira)

Okura, Shunji Tamasaburo Bando, Onnagata,19838Subseries II.2: Kabuki Programs and Magazines1981-1982Scope and Contents

Kabuki Programs and Magazines includes souvenir programs from The Grand Kabuki of Japan's performances in the U.S in 1982, and a 1981 magazine copy containing mostly photos of Kabuki performances. The souvenir program of the Grand Kabuki's 1982 North American tour contains autographs of seven members of the group, including celebrated actor Ichikawa Ebizo.

Grand Kabuki of Japan--North American Tour Program19828Scope and Contents

(includes autographs of seven members of the group: Utaemon, Tomiijuro, Tamaschuro Ebizo, Nakamara Utaemon, Nakamara Kanzeburro, Ichikawa Ebizo, and Kiyomoto Shizutayu)

Grand Kabuki Playbill, 1982 July19828Scope and Contents

(Metropolitan Opera, New York City)

Double Page, Volume 1319818Subseries II.3: Ukiyo-e Books1982Scope and Contents

This subseries includes two books on the Japanese art of wood carving.

Kobayashi, Tadashi Ukiyo-e19828Scope and Contents

(part of seriesGreat Japanese Art)

Oka, Isaburo Hiroshige19828Scope and Contents

(part of seriesGreat Japanese Art)

Series III: Musical Scores1915-2000Scope and Contents

Piano arrangements of ballets and opera arias, song books of Jewish folk music, and single-leaf piano scores of folk and pop songs from Italy and Israel.

Subseries III.1: Ballet Piano Arrangementscirca 1949-2000Scope and Contents

This subseries includes scores of complete ballets as well as excerpts and collections, arranged alphabetically by composer name. There is a 1959 score of the Pas de Deux from Minkus'Don Quixotethat includes a cover photo of Claire Motte (1937-1986), ballet mistress and leading ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Auber, Daniel, Pas Classique19592Bizet, Georges, Jeux d'Enfants2Scope and Contents

(no date)

Chopin, FredericLes Sylphides19762Les Sylphidesundated2Drigo, Riccardo Le Corsaire19752Minkus, LudwigPaquita, Pas de Trois19572Paquita, Grand Pas19762Don Quixote, Pas de Deux19592Scope and Contents

(cover photo of Claire Motte (1937-1986), ballet mistress and leading ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet)

Don Quixote19742Don Quixoteundated2La Bayadere19752La Bayadere19832Offenbach, Jacques La Gaite Parisienne,19522Pugni, CesarePas de Deux from Esmeralda19582Pas de Quatre19732Pas de Quatre19732Scope and Contents

(in Etude de la Danse collection)

Rossini, Gioachino La Boutique Fantastique Suiteundated2Strauss, Johann Graduation Ball19912Tchaikovsky, P. IThe Nutcracker Suite19492Le Lac des Cygnes19492Swan Lake: The Ballet Told in Words and Music19502"Le Cygne Noir,"Lac des Cygnes19752La Belle au Bois Dormant19502Casse Noisette19762Adam, Adolphe3Giselle19743Scope and Contents

(excerpt)

Giselle19783Delibes, LeoCoppelia19743Sylvia20003Glazunov, Alexander Raymondaundated3Helsted, Edvard, La Fete des Fleurs a Genzano19733Khachaturian, Aram Spartacus Moscow,19753Scope and Contents

(hard cover edition)

McDermott, WilliamBallet Classics: Six Famous Pas de Deux19743Ballet Classics: Five Famous Pas de Deux19853Prokofiev, SergeiTen Pieces from the Ballet Cinderella,19673Cinderella, Moscow19813Scope and Contents

(hard cover edition)

Romeo and Juliet19673Stravinsky, Igor Firebird Suite19843Weber, Carl Maria von Invitation to the Danceundated3Zeller, Robert, Grands Pas de Deux Selected from Famous Ballets,19613Subseries III.2: Italian Song1915-1984Scope and Contents

This subseries includes voice and piano arrangements of folk and popular songs as well as opera arias. Scores are arranged in folders according to publishing company.

Sheet Music: Italian Song, Edizioni and related companies, Milan/Naples,1943-195741Scope and Contents

(43 items)

Sheet Music: Italian Song, Casa Editrice F. Bideri, Naples1920-195742Scope and Contents

(21 items)

Sheet Music: Italian Song, Italian Book Company, New York City/Naples1915-195743Scope and Contents

(10 items)

Sheet Music: Italian Song, Ricordi and related companies, Milan,1944-198444Scope and Contents

(14 items)

Sheet Music: Italian Song, additional publishing companies1905-195745Scope and Contents

(17 items)

Subseries III.3: Jewish and Israeli Song1930-1983Scope and Contents

This subseries includes piano and voice arrangements as well as songbooks of Jewish folk songs and a few Hebrew translations of popular songs from film published by Negen Press. There are 3 booklets including melodies and Hebrew lyrics for national folk songs published in the first years of the State of Israel's founding.

Sheet Music: Israel/Negen Press Songs, Tel Aviv1951-196046Scope and Contents

(15 items)

2 Bennett, Elsie Hebrew and Jewish Songs and Dances19544Scope and Contents

(volumes 1 and 2)

Easy to Play Jewish Nostalgiaundated4Kramer, Isa, Album of Jewish Folk-Songs19304Sa-Ron19494Silverman, Jerry The Yiddish Song Book19834Songs of Land and Labor19554World Charts Presents the Jewish Songbookundated4The World's Most Famous Jewish Song Hits19564Zemer Ve Machol19554Subseries III.4: Other Songs1967Bentley, Eric, The Brecht-Eisler Song Book19674