Florence Kopleff papers

Collection

Identifier: M224

Staff Only
Not requestable

Scope and Contents of the Papers

The Florence Kopleff papers contain rich documentation of the contralto's professional life as a performer, member of the Robert Shaw Chorale and associate of Shaw's, and as a vocal teacher, 1938-2012. The papers consist primarily of printed material, including concert programs, publicity material such as press kits and posters, articles, as well as sheet music, 1900-1993. The papers contain personal mementos including Kopleff's high school yearbooks, records related to the professional activities of the Shaw Chorale such as tour itineraries, cue sheets and stage directions for musical performances, and material documenting Kopleff's career at Georgia State University in Atlanta. The papers also include some correspondence, legal documents such as contracts, and creative works including writings and drawings. Material related to Robert Shaw, the Collegiate Choral and the Shaw Chorale, and Shaw's career in Atlanta form a separate series. Photographs, sound recordings, audiovisual recordings, and artifacts also comprise the papers.

Dates

Creation: 1900-2021
Creation: Majority of material found within 1930 - 1998

Creator

Kopleff, Florence (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

Biography of Florence Kopleff

Contralto Florence Kopleff was a celebrated American concert singer. Born in New York City on May 2, 1924, she was an experienced performer by the time she graduated high school. She met the choral conductor Robert Shaw (1916-1999) in 1941 when she auditioned for his Collegiate Chorale, and joined the Robert Shaw Chorale upon its founding in 1948. The Robert Shaw Chorale, one of the first American professional choirs not affiliated with another organization, had a prolific recording and performing career. In addition to being a frequent soloist, Florence Kopleff assisted with secretarial and recordkeeping duties for the organization. She considered Shaw her most important artistic, professional, and personal mentor.

Florence Kopleff made her solo debut in New York in 1954 and developed a distinguished reputation as a singer of oratorios, appearing and recording with such conductors as George Szell, Charles Munch, Fritz Reiner and Eugene Ormandy, while continuing her work with the Shaw Chorale. She was featured on two of the Shaw Chorale's Grammy-winning recordings during the 1960s. From 1967 until 1988, Shaw served as music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. In 1968, Kopleff was invited to serve as artist-in-residence for the University System of Georgia. She stayed in Atlanta, serving as a Professor of Voice and Artist-in-Residence at Georgia State University until her retirement in 1998, and working with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus (founded by Shaw in 1970). A respected instructor and mentor at Georgia State, Kopleff received the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award in 1982, and, in 2004, the university's recital hall was renamed in her honor. She passed away on July 24, 2012.

Extent

13 Linear Feet (in 24 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Organization of the Papers

Organized into five series:

Series I: Florence Kopleff files
Series II: Robert Shaw files
Series III: Programs
Series IV: Sheet Music
Series V: Audiovisual

Acquisition Information

Transferred from the Georgia State University School of Music to the Georgia State University Archives, November 2, 2013. Transferred to the Popular Music and Culture Collection. Additional materials added, February 2021.

Separated Materials:

Separated to Special Collections Book Collection -- See catalog for access

Daniel, Peggy. Tanglewood: A Group Memoir. New York, NY: Amadeus Press, 2008.
Gilbert, W. S. 1836-1911., Arthur Sullivan, and D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Authentic Libretti of the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas: As Presented By the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company During Their American Season. [2d ed.]. New York: Bass Publishers, 1935.
Marlboro Music, 1951-1975: The First Twenty-Five Years : Programs 1951-1975. Marlboro, Vt: Marlboro Music School and Festival, 1976.
Snyder, J M, and Derek Delaney. Marlboro Music: Collected Concert Programs : the First Fifty Years. Marlboro, Vt: Marlboro Music School and Festival, 2000.