1911 THROUGH 1917 ARCHIVE OF FIVE [5] MANUSCRIPT DIARIES OF A YOUNG WOMAN DILIGENTLY GIVING HER ALL TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL SINGER

On offer is an exceptional archive of manuscript diaries handwritten by a young woman named Viola Brodbeck [b. July 23rd, 1888]. The archive includes five [5] diaries dating 1911[age 22], 1912, 1914, 1916 and 1917 plus six [6] printed music books which bear her holograph notes peppering the texts from her time at college. This is a unique look at the process a young woman aspiring to be a professional singer goes through. Viola draws a picture of a young woman of some privilege [they have good seats for Woodrow Wilson's Inaugural address in 1917]and means taking lessons, immersing herself in the arts and of course practice, practice, practice to succeed in her drive to perform and Viola does in fact become a soprano for the Philadelphia Orchestra. The family home is in New York where her father works and lives though he visits Philadelphia frequently where it appears the family has a number of properties related to business and where Viola lives while attending college as she mentions staying at "2136" or doing some work at "266". The family may own and oversee the running of a laundry. Over the years she mentions hundreds of friends, occasions, performances and visits. Local historians and collectors of music history and the Philadelphia arts and letters scene will certainly note many names. Here a few of her notations: Funeral of Archbishop Ryan; Rehearsals at Fuller Building; Working on the Passion Play; Met Bess Gingrich at studio, sang for her; Heard Lydia Lipkowski in La Traviata; "I love Grand Opera. Hope to become a singer one day[1911]"; "Big Day - Opening of Convention of the Federation of Musical Clubs."; Matinee Music Club begins; Opera class at Aldrich's Studio; Heard Tetrazinni in Lucia; Letter from Prof. Omwake; Heard Reginald de Koven speak; Attended rehearsal of Phila. Operatic Society; Called on Dr. Downs, played on their new Steinway baby grand piano and sang for them; Rehearsal with Mr. Fitchhorn; Sang at the Ursinus mid-winter concert; 'took Systematic Physical Training.' The music books are: Harmony by Chadwick; Harmonic Analysis by Cutter; The Theory of Music by L.C. Elson; Lessons in Musical History by Fillmore; Pianoforte Music by Fillmore; Harmony Made Practical by Boise. The books are overall VG. With regard to the diaries the outside of a few have cracked hinges and some staining the Wannamaker 6 x 7.5 inch diaries are overall G.; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; HARMONICS, SINGERS, SOPRANO, MUSIC, COMPOSERS, OPERA, SYMPHONY, OPERATIC, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, DIARY, JOURNAL, LOG, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, DIARIES, Systematic Physical Training , JOURNALS, LOGS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, AMERICANA, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MUSIK,