Report from the Lehmann Archives

In the last Newsletter, we reported on the implementation of the Lehmann project at the University of California at Sanra Barbara's Lehmann Archives to organize, preserve and make accessible the sound recordings. Susan Bower, director of this projecr, and James Stenger, the Lehmann Archive's Audio Assistant, report the following progresss. --GH

A preliminary inventory of all recordings in the Lehmann Archive has been completed, and the recordings housed in a separate and safe location within UCSB's Archive of Recorded Vocal Music. Available acetate recordings have been dubbed onto both analog open-reel tapes and onto DATs, and the systematic dubbing of the commercially issued 78rpm recordings has begun. This part of the project is scheduled for completion sometime in December.

In addition, letters, announcements and ads have been sent to private collectors as well as to several journals, publicizing the existence and the activities of the Archive, and seeking donations of additional recordings or duplicates of mint-condition recordings already in hand but not in the best condition. The Archive is dependent on donations to round out this already fantastic collection which documents Mme. Lehmann's career.

The next step is to set up a listening station in the Lehmann Archive Room of our Special Collections Department where it will be possible for the public to hear cassette tapes of Lehmann recordings. Soon to be added are dubs of non-commercial items, which include live performances, master classes and interviews. -Susan Bower and James Stenger

I'm happy to report that Jim Stenger sent me eight casettes, copies of the Northwestern Universiry Lehmann Master Classes. These will allow me to report on the actual contents of the master classes, nor just list the selections taught. Future scholars will need to know specifics because the material is so vast. Many thanks also to Christel Benner of the Universiry of Hamburg's Theater Collection for sending copies of Lehmann-related clippings from German newspapers and periodicals. These articles document her retiremenr years, birthdays and include several obituaties. --GH