Lillie Ronvo Collection of Dance and Music Materials, 1915-2002, bulk 1952-1991

Summary Information

Abstract

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.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in three series and several subseries.

• Series I: Ballet Memorabilia, 1966-2002
• Subseries I.1: Ballet Programs and Clippings, 1978-2002
• Subseries I.2: Photographs, circa 1966-1992
• Series II: Japanese Art--Kabuki Books and Memorabilia, Ukiyo-e Books, 1978-1987
• Subseries II.1: Kabuki Books, 1978-1987
• Subseries II.2: Kabuki Programs and Magazines, 1981-1982
• Subseries II.3: Ukiyo-e Books, 1982
• Series III: Musical Scores, 1915-2000
• Subseries III.1: Ballet Piano Arrangements, circa 1949-2000
• Subseries III.2: Italian Song, 1915-1984
• Subseries III.3: Jewish and Israeli Song, 1930-1983
• Subseries III.4: Other Songs, 1967

Description

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.

• Series I: Ballet Memorabilia, 1966-2002

  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.

• Series II: Japanese Art--Kabuki Books and Memorabilia, Ukiyo-e Books, 1978-1987

  This series contains collection materials related to Japanese art.

• Series III: Musical Scores, 1915-2000

  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.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

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.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies 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.

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.

Accrual

No additions are expected

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

Immediate Source of Acquisition

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

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed by Orit Hilewicz (GSAS) June 2016.

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

Papers appraised Cole Ferry March 1, 2016.

Revision Description

2016-06-28 File created.

2016-06-30 XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

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.