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Finding aid in repository
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Source of acquisition--Gift of the Hispanic Institute. Owner--1986.
The Zarzuela Collection was given to the Columbia Music Library by the Hispanic Institute in 1986. It was transferred from the Music Library to RBML in 1993.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
The Zarzuela Collection, consisting of almost five hundred different zarzuelas (libretti, scores, and separate instrumental parts) was given in 1986 to Columbia University by the Hispanic Institute, founded in 1916 as the Instituto de las Espanas en los Estados Unidos. The Collection represents the largest known collection of zarzuela in the United States.
The Hispanic Institute was founded in 1916 as the Instituto de las Espanas en los Estados Unidos by Frederico de Onis, the year he became head of the Spanish Department at Columbia University. In 1940 the Institute acquired its present name, and in 1961 it moved to the Columbia campus.
The source and original organization of the collection are difficult to determine, since the card catalog which accompanied it did not accurately reflect it. In an unpublished study, Janet L. Sturman hypothesized that the scores and books of the Institute were compiled by a number of elite New York collectors to represent their idea of popular Spanish culture, and that the collection was unrelated to student performances encouraged by the pianist and composer Emilio de Torre, friend of Federico de Onis.
It appears from evidence in the collection itself that it could have arrived at the Institute as a unit. Most of the instrumental arrangements and libretti bear the signature of Luis de Rueda, apparently an actor and singer active in the first quarter of the twentieth century. In many cases, the stamp "Property of Mathilde Lopez" is superimposed on Rueda's signature. It appears she added a few items to his collection, primarily piano-vocal scores.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Columbia University Libraries Music Library Zarzuela Collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
The Zarzuela Collection at Columbia University consists of almost five hundred different zarzuelas. Both nineteenth and twentieth century works are represented by libretti, scores, and separate instrumental parts. Formats include printed, typewritten, and handwritten items. Many of the libretti contain role assignments and other handwritten notes which indicate they were used by a traveling zarzuela company. Among the authors of the libretti are Javer de Bergos y Sarragoiti, Jose Estremero y Cuenca, Jacinto Benavente, and the Quintero brothers.
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.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Collection inventory is available as