University of London Archives | Details | Norman McCann German and Austrian Theatre Collection

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Actions Help FAQs Can't find what you're looking for? Browse Collections A-Z University of London	Norman McCann German and Austrian Theatre Collection Remove from selection Add to selection Request this item TitleNorman McCann German and Austrian Theatre Collection Held atUniversity of London, Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies Reference codeNMC Date1893-1960 Creator McCann, Norman (1920-1999) impressario, collectorMore Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator After serving in the British Army in WW2, McCann was awarded a singing scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in 1948. McCann performed in West End musicals from the 1940s and later in opera and concerts on radio and television. He gradually abandoned performing himself and instead began to manage other performers, including his wife, Lucille Graham. He was responsible for bringing musicians in Eastern Europe to the UK for the first time, as well as international artists such as Placido Domingo, Libor Pesek and Martina Arroyo. He began collecting memorabilia after spotting a silk commemorative programme from a Victorian command performance at Drury Lane. His collection of memorabilia was donated to the Royal Academy of Music. Scope and ContentContains approximately 510 theatre programmes and other items of theatre ephemera relating to performances at German and Austrian theatres mainly in Berlin and Vienna. Most are for drama productions (including Shakespeare), but some relate to music and opera. The artwork shown in the material from the 1890s and 1920s-40s is of particular interest. Programmes are listed according to city and then by theatre name and then in date order. Series 1 Box 1: Aachen (1 item, 1930) and Berlin (80 items), including Deutsches Theater (Kammerspiele) (1907-1920), Kleines Theater (1905-1933) and Nelson Theater (1921-1933). Series 1 Box 2: Berlin (53 items), including Residenz-Theater (1902-1925), Schiller-Theater (1902-1935), Theater am Schiffbauerdamm (1929-1930). Series 1 Box 3: Cassel (2 items, 1913), Dresden (1 item, 1904), Leipzig (1 item, 1930), Zurich (1 item, 1950) and Vienna (56 items), including Carltheater (1894-1912), Deutsches Volkstheater (1894-1918) and Max und Moritz (not dated). Series 2 Box 1: Munich (1 item, 1912) and Berlin (72 items) including Berliner Theater (1903-1905), Deutsches Theater (1902-1905), Koenigliche Schauspiele (1898-1912), Neues Theater (1902-1904). Series 2 Box 2: Vienna (119 items) mostly Burgtheater (1893-1896, 1909-1916). Series 2 Box 3: Vienna (122 items) including Burgtheater (1917-1918), Deutsches Volkstheater (1894, 1901-1902), Lustspiel Theater (1909-1918), Neue Wiener Buehne (1909-c.1915), Raimundtheater (1894-1903), Theater in der Josefstadt (1901-1917). Conditions governing accessOpen. At least 48 hours' notice is required for research visits. Extent6 boxes (of which 3 oversize) Level of descriptionfonds

TitleNorman McCann German and Austrian Theatre Collection

Held atUniversity of London, Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies

Reference codeNMC

Date1893-1960

Creator
- McCann, Norman (1920-1999) impressario, collectorMore Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator
  After serving in the British Army in WW2, McCann was awarded a singing scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in 1948. McCann performed in West End musicals from the 1940s and later in opera and concerts on radio and television. He gradually abandoned performing himself and instead began to manage other performers, including his wife, Lucille Graham. He was responsible for bringing musicians in Eastern Europe to the UK for the first time, as well as international artists such as Placido Domingo, Libor Pesek and Martina Arroyo. He began collecting memorabilia after spotting a silk commemorative programme from a Victorian command performance at Drury Lane. His collection of memorabilia was donated to the Royal Academy of Music.

Scope and ContentContains approximately 510 theatre programmes and other items of theatre ephemera relating to performances at German and Austrian theatres mainly in Berlin and Vienna. Most are for drama productions (including Shakespeare), but some relate to music and opera. The artwork shown in the material from the 1890s and 1920s-40s is of particular interest.
Programmes are listed according to city and then by theatre name and then in date order.
Series 1 Box 1: Aachen (1 item, 1930) and Berlin (80 items), including Deutsches Theater (Kammerspiele) (1907-1920), Kleines Theater (1905-1933) and Nelson Theater (1921-1933).
Series 1 Box 2: Berlin (53 items), including Residenz-Theater (1902-1925), Schiller-Theater (1902-1935), Theater am Schiffbauerdamm (1929-1930).
Series 1 Box 3: Cassel (2 items, 1913), Dresden (1 item, 1904), Leipzig (1 item, 1930), Zurich (1 item, 1950) and Vienna (56 items), including Carltheater (1894-1912), Deutsches Volkstheater (1894-1918) and Max und Moritz (not dated).
Series 2 Box 1: Munich (1 item, 1912) and Berlin (72 items) including Berliner Theater (1903-1905), Deutsches Theater (1902-1905), Koenigliche Schauspiele (1898-1912), Neues Theater (1902-1904).
Series 2 Box 2: Vienna (119 items) mostly Burgtheater (1893-1896, 1909-1916).
Series 2 Box 3: Vienna (122 items) including Burgtheater (1917-1918), Deutsches Volkstheater (1894, 1901-1902), Lustspiel Theater (1909-1918), Neue Wiener Buehne (1909-c.1915), Raimundtheater (1894-1903), Theater in der Josefstadt (1901-1917).

Conditions governing accessOpen. At least 48 hours' notice is required for research visits.

Extent6 boxes (of which 3 oversize)

Level of descriptionfonds

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