Max Rabinoff papers, 1908-1961

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1039
Bib ID:
4079244 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Rabinoff, Max
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
2.25 linear feet (4 boxes)
Language(s):
English .
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 on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

Papers and correspondence of Rabinoff. Part of the collection relates to Rabinoff's endeavors in opera in Chicago, New York, and Boston and to his founding the American Institute of Operatic Art. The second part of the collection concerns his career as an economic advisor to the republics of Estonia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, his work on the development of the Export Import Bank, and his interest in trade with Russia. Included in the collection are many photographs, clippings, and programs. Many of these pertain to the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova who was introduced to American audiences by Rabinoff.

  • Series I: Cataloged Correspondence

    The series contains the cataloged correspondence of Max Rabinoff, and is organized by last name of correspondent. Contracts, news articles, calling cards, and photographs of or about the correspondent are included . Correspondents include Lee de Forest, Otto Kahn, Leopold Stokowsky, and Vera Tchaikovsky.

  • Series II: Arranged Correspondence

    The series contains correspondence arranged in alphabetical order by last name of correspondent. The series includes letters to Rabinoff from Lyn Stiebel-Hunt (professionally known as "Saharah") and New York Times music critic Howard Taubman.

  • Series III: Artifacts/Ephemera

    The series contains material related to Rabinoff's activities as a music impresario. It is arranged chronologically and consists of correspondence, musical programs, photographs, and clippings.

  • Series IV: Business

    The series contains clippings, correspondence, speeches, and photostats relating to Rabinoff's work as economic adviser to Estonia and Georgia, and as a promoter of trade with Russia.

Arrangement

Cataloged and arranged.

Using the Collection

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 on-site.

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); Max Rabinoff papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Materials

See also the Joseph Urban Collection for Boston Opera Company set designs

Accruals

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

Source of acquisition--Vera (Mrs. Michael) Kraus. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1967. Accession number--M-67.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.

MTM - 3/2000.

Revision Description

2010-02-24 Legacy finding aid created from Pro Cite.

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

Biographical / Historical

Musical impresario, international economist.

Max Rabinoff was born in Moghilev, Russia on March 9 1877. He immigrated to the United States in 1892 and was naturalized in 1898. He began his career as an employee of the Kimball Piano Store eventually becoming the owner of three piano stores of his own. In 1908 he left the musical instrument business to organize musical events for the general public. He initiated Sunday Concerts in Chicago and helped organize the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chicago Opera Company. In 1910 Rabinoff presented an opera season for the Mexican Republic's centennial celebration at the invitation of the Mexican Government. Rabinoff was instrumental in introducing Russian artists to the American public including Anna Pavlova the Russian Imperial Court Balalaika Orchestra and the Ukrainian National Chorus. From 1914 to 1917 he was the managing director of the Boston Opera Company featuring Anna Pavlova and her Russian Ballet Company. In 1922 Rabinoff founded the American Institute for Operatic and Allied Arts at Stony Brook on the Hudson to encourage the development of American talent.

Rabinoff at the age of 21 organized the American-Russian Importing and Exporting Company. In 1917 he attended the Paris Peace Conference where he was made economic advisor to the Republics of Estonia Georgia and Azerbaijan. He was a continuous advocate of economic trade with the Soviet Union and established a business to advise the American Government and American companies on trade with Russia and its satellites. He continued his interest in music encouraging young talent and establishing the Cosmopolitan Opera Company in New York in 1942-1943 to bring opera to the public at affordable prices. and

Rabinoff married his discovery, the singer Marie La Salle on March 22 1910. Following her death in 1912 he married Helene Gaubert on May 16 1913. Max Rabinoff died in 1966.

Subject Headings

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

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Genre/Form
Photographic prints CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
American Institute of Operatic Art CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Export-Import Bank of the United States CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Pavlova, Anna, 1881-1931 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Place
Azerbaijan -- Economic conditions CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Estonia -- Economic conditions CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Georgia (Republic) -- Economic conditions CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Soviet Union -- Commerce CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Soviet Union -- Economic conditions CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Ballerinas -- Soviet Union CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Economists CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Impresarios CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
International economic relations CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
International trade CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Opera -- Illinois -- Chicago CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Opera -- Massachusetts -- Boston CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Opera -- New York (State) -- New York CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID