Max Rabinoff papers, 1908-1961

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Cataloged and arranged.

• Series I: Cataloged Correspondence
• Series II: Arranged Correspondence
• Series III: Artifacts/Ephemera
• Series IV: Business

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.

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 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.

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.

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Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

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.