Archive Links

Many institutions around the world have information about Lehmann, as well as recordings, photos etc., but there are specific archives you may want to know about which offer depth for the researcher. Click the following hyperlinks to learn about the major archives, their hours, their resources and their accessibility.

• The University of California Santa Barbara (Library: Special Collections) houses the major Lehmann archive. The actual Lotte Lehmann Archive includes photos, letters (to and from Lehmann), books, and a listening section with an almost complete discography available on casettes. UCSB Library Performing Arts Collections . Here are the latest acquisitions:

1. Lotte Lehmann Postcards (PA1998-003) 37 Postcards from Karl Lehmann to LotteLehmann, dated 1922-1923
2. Lotte Lehmann Pacifica Radio Broadcasts (PA1998-006)
   A. Lotte Lehmann's Farewell Concert, 1965; B."A Treasury of 78s: Die Winterreise," 1962; C. "A Treasury of 78s: Program of Poetry and Song," 1962.
3. UCSB’s Lehmann Auditorium houses a bronze bust of Lehmann in the lobby.
   

• The Stanford University Recorded Sound Archive has major Lehmann holdings both of records and memorabilia. It may not be easily accesible, so check by calling ahead. Allow two days for anything specific that you may request. The Archive is open Monday-Friday from 1:00-5:00PM. Telephone: 650 723-9312 Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound This site will also link you to many other sound archives in North America.

Other US sound archives such as those at Yale, Library of Congress and the Rodgers and Hammerstein collection at Lincoln Center, New York City also have a great number of Lehmann recordings, but no specific Lehmann archive. A great number of rare Lehmann items were given to the Marr Sound Archives.

• Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound
• Museum of Television and Radio New York and California;
• Recorded Sound Collections in the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.;
• Historical Sound Recordings at Yale University;
• The British Library National Sound Archive in London;
• Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive at the Syracuse University Library.
• Marr Sound Archives at the University of Missouri, Kansas City
  Marr Sound Archives

In Europe there are many libraries with collections that include Lehmann recordings and photos.

• In Vienna: Austrian Radio Archive: Rundfunk; The Photo Archive of the Theater Collection of the National Library; Austrian Phonoteck. The collections of the Austrian Theatre Museum, Vienna, are divided into several departments, each department with a special curator. The library holds only two of Lehmann's books written in German, her memoirs (Anfang und Aufstieg, 1937), and poems (Verse in Prosa, s.a.). There are some German books about the history of the Vienna State Opera in the 1920s and '30s with references to Lehmann's career in Vienna. Lehmann performed at the Hofoper for the first time in 1914 and was a member of the Vienna Opera from 1916 till 1938. They also have the daily cast lists of the performances (Theaterzettel) and most of the programs (Theaterprogramme) of the Court Opera and State Opera. Another department of the Theatre Museum, the photo achives (Fotoabteilung), holds a lot of photos from the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival repertory with Lehmann and her partners. The department for handwritten materials (Autographensammlung), holds about 10 boxes with letters written by Lehmann (especially to Paul Lachmann). For detailed information, contact the curators of the museums' departments.
• Munich: Bavarian State Opera; Munich Library.
• Salzburg: Salzburg Festival Archive; Max Schnellings Institute.
• Hamburg: Theater Collection of the Univesity of Hamburg; Hamburg Opera Archives;
• Frankfurt: German Radio Archives.
• London; BBC Archives.

Lehmann’s birthplace was Perleberg, Germany and the building where she first went to school is now a Lehmann archive. At this time there is no permanent exhibit: there are various shows of their permanent collection. The institution is also responsible for various Lehmann tributes, concerts and lectures. Write to the director, Reinhard Spiess, Museum Perleberg, Mönchort 7-10, 0-2910 Perleberg, Germany.

For beautiful Lehmann portraits Santa Barbara is the place to visit. At the Music Academy of the West you’ll see the large painting of Lehmann as Leonore in Beethoven’s Fidelio, painted in 1947 by Ethel Barkdale Wack. Other paintings include her portrait as Manon (?) signed Naeff, Dresden and a pastel of Lehmann as the Marschallin signed "Hahn Nacht." There are also paintings by Mme. Lehmann in various offices. Throughout the history of the institution, Lehmann's name and presense has been important. Photos, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia are housed here, but not open to the general public. Researchers should ask for permission to see these unique documents. Since much of Lehmann's estate is kept here, there is a chance to find scores from which she sang and taught. There are a few transposition and breath markings, but not as extensive or interesting as one might imagine. Music Academy of the West

When you’re in New York City, visit the picture gallery at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. There, among other opera greats, you’ll find Lehmann’s portrait painted by Schattenstein, as the Marschallin in Richard Strauss’ opera Der Rosenkavalier.