West Virginia and Regional History Center
Frances Yeend, Opera Singer, Photographs, Recordings, and Papers
Yeend, Frances
A&M 3972
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/repositories/2/resources/3195
63.2 Linear Feet
63 ft. 2 1/2 in. (42 record cartons, 15 in. each); (3 record cartons, 17 in. each); (1 document case, 5 in.); (3 document cases, 2 1/2 in. each); (6 flat storage boxes, 1 1/2 in. each); (6 small flat storage boxes, 4 in. each); (1 large flat storage box, 3 in.); (3 unboxed framed posters); (2 unboxed large scrapbooks, 8 in. total); (1 unboxed set of volumes of Grove's Dictionary, 1 ft. 9. in. total)
38.4 Gigabytes
443 files, formats include .tif, .wav, .psd, .iso, .cue, .mp3, .m4a, .docx
ca. 1900-1990
ca. 1938-1966
Papers of Frances Yeend, opera singer, and papers of James Benner, pianist and West Virginia University music professor.
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
English
Conditions Governing Access
No special access restriction applies.
Researchers may access born digital and digitized materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
Biographical / Historical
American opera star Frances Yeend was born 1913 January 22 in Vancouver, Washington. She studied music at what is now Washington State University, before debuting as a soprano singer. Between the 1940s and 1960s, Yeend performed in many noted opera roles, debuting at both the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Her performances included Pagliacci, Turandot, Elektra, Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, The Tales of Hoffman, La traviata, Faust, Aida, La bohème, Amelia Goes to the Ball, Tosca, Verdi's Requiem, and The Four Ruffians. Yeend also performed at the Tanglewood Music Festival in New York and with noted singers Mario Lanza and George London as part of the Bel Canto Trio in the late 1940s. Her career took her to cities across the United States and the world, including a debut in Israel. Yeend retired from her opera career in 1966, joining the West Virginia University faculty as a Professor of Voice and Artist in Residence. She retired from teaching in 1978. Yeend died in Morgantown, West Virginia on 2008 April 27.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Frances Yeend, Opera Singer, Photographs, Recordings, and Papers, A&M 3972, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Scope and Contents
Papers of Frances Yeend, classical soprano and opera singer, and papers of James Benner, pianist West Virginia University music professor.
Boxes 1-2 contain about 300 publicity photographs featuring American opera star Frances Yeend, a soprano. The publicity photographs are of Yeend costumed for roles in operas such as "Pagliacci," "Turandot," "Elektra," "Carmen," "The Marriage of Figaro," "The Tales of Hoffmann," "La traviata," "Faust," "Aida," "La bohème," "Amelia Goes to the Ball," "Tosca," Verdi's Requiem, and "The Four Ruffians," among others. The collection also includes various photographs taken for newspaper and magazine articles; and photos of Yeend with the other members of the Bel Canto Trio, including Mario Lanza and George London.
Box 3 contains a chronological listing of her performances and other professional activities for 1943 to 1966.
Boxes 4-60 contain sound recordings, piano vocal scores, books, programs, letters, recordings, and other material. Many scores were Yeend's personal study copies, and include performance markings. There are records regarding the Obernkirchen Children's Choir, and arrangements of concert pieces by Columbia Artists for performances by Yeend. There are also papers regarding master classes taught by Benner, and WVU opera productions.
Publicity photographs in Boxes 1-2 have been digitized.
There are oral histories with James Benner regarding the careers of Frances Yeend and of James Benner in digital audio.
The twelve non-commerical disc recordings in the collection have been digitized.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Bizet, Georges, 1838-1875. Carmen
Gounod, Charles, 1818-1893. Faust
Puccini, Giacomo, 1858-1924. Boheme
Puccini, Giacomo, 1858-1924. Tosca
Puccini, Giacomo, 1858-1924. Turandot
Strauss, Richard, 1864-1949. Elektra
Verdi, Giuseppe, 1813-1901. Aida
Verdi, Giuseppe, 1813-1901. Messa da Requiem
Verdi, Giuseppe, 1813-1901. Traviata
Women in opera
Yeend, Frances
Publicity Photographs of Frances YeendArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155412undated1Publicity Photographs of Frances YeendArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155413undated2Publicity Photographs of Frances YeendArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155414undated3Chronological Listing of Yeend's Performances, 1943-1966Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155415undated3CassettesArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155416undated4Cassettes, CD, and Other RecordingsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155417undated5Cassettes, CDs, VHS, Poster/Handbill, and Rings (Woodburn Circle Society)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155418undated6Cassettes and ScoresArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155419undated7Cassettes and ScoresArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155420undated8Chautauqua FilesArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155421undated9Piano-Vocal Scores (includes mainly rehearsal scores used by Yeend consisting of operas from the standard repertoire)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155422undated10Piano-Vocal Scores (includes mainly rehearsal scores used by Yeend consisting of operas from the standard repertoire; this box includes an "Elektra" score [likely by Richard Strauss] with rehearsal markings, apparently the copy that Yeend worked from for her Metropolitan Opera debut; also includes scores to "Der Rosenkavalier" and "Feuersnot" by Strauss)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155423undated11Piano-Vocal Scores (includes mainly rehearsal scores used by Yeend consisting of operas from the standard repertoire)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155424undated12Piano-Vocal Scores (includes mainly rehearsal scores used by Yeend consisting of operas from the standard repertoire; this box includes scores of Mahler's Symphonies No. 2 and No. 4; also includes American scores [without markings] of "Regina" by Blitzstein and "McTeague" by Bolcom)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155425undated13Piano-Vocal Opera Scores (includes mainly rehearsal scores used by Yeend consisting of operas from the standard repertoire)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155426undated14Piano-Vocal Scores with Personalized Binding for Yeend (includes mainly rehearsal scores used by Yeend consisting of operas from the standard repertoire; this box includes Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Missa Solemnis and Verdi's Requiem with inscription by conductor Eugene Ormandy; also includes Mahler's Symphony No. 8)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155427undated15Piano-Vocal Scores with Graphic Interest (includes "Parsifal" by Wagner and two scores by Virgil Thomson)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155428undated16Piano-Vocal Scores (includes photocopy of "The Threepenny Opera" by Brecht, among others)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155429undated17James Benner Papers (includes slides of WVU opera productions, photocopies of piano-vocal scores with Benner's English translations and production notes, and documentation of his English translation work)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155430undated18Scores and Books, Collectible (includes souvenir book given to Yeend by the Israel Philharmonic in 1954 of "Song of Solomon" published in Jerusalem; also includes a two volume edition of a biography of Jenny Lind [1891] and piano-vocal scores to "Dream of a Summer Night" [1850] and "Psyche" [1878, likely first edition] by Ambroise Thomas)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554311850, 1878-1891, 1954, undated19Books (includes music related books, such as "Who's Who in Music" [1951], "Pictorial Treasury of Opera in America," etc.)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554321951, undated20Scores and Books (includes original manuscript of song "Gypsy Lament" by Yeend, annual artist advertisment issues of Musical America from late 1940s and early 1950s [with advertisements for Yeend]; and orchestrations with parts of excerpts from "La traviata" by Verdi provided to Yeend by Columbia Artists Management])Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155433ca. 1940s-1950s, undated21ProgramsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155434undated22Letters, Newspapers, and PamphletsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155435undated23Notes, Letters, and PaperworkArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155436undated24Notes, Letters, and PaperworkArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155437undated25RecordsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155438undated26Records, WVU Opera Theatre Production Lists, WVU Opera Production Pictures, and Bel Canto Trio FileArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155439undated27Framed/Signed Photographs (including soprano Joan Sutherland, soprano Eleanor Steber, soprano Mary Garden, dancers Alexandre Volinine and Anna Pavlova, soprano Helen Jepson, Columbia Grand Opera Quartet [Yeend, Helen Olheim, William Hain, Arthur Kent], mezzo-soprano Mona Paulee, and conductor Thomas Schippers)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155440undated28Framed/Signed Photographs (including conductors Bruno Walter, Eugene Ormandy, Dimitri Mitropoulos, William Steinberg, John Barbirolli, and George Szell; bass-baritone George London and soprano Rosa Ponselle)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155441undated29Piano-Vocal Score of "La traviata" by Verdi (given to Yeend by Rosa Ponselle; includes Ponselle's rehearsal markings)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155442undated29Photos and Christmas Cards, Photographs from her Metropolitan Opera Debut, and Photos of Other Artists (includes a photo with signatures of Bob Hope and Arnold Palmer; also includes a manuscript by American composer David Diamond of song cycle "Love and Time")Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155443undated30Framed Certificates, Doctorate (Yeend), and Biographical InformationArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155444undated31Framed Certificates and Posters/Handbill (includes large color poster for Yeend published by Columbia Artists Management for her concerts)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155445undated32"Bach-Gesellschaft-Ausgabe" Edition of Bach's Works, Edwards Music Reprints, 1947; box 36 contains the book "J.S. Bach, The Modern Composer" by Augusta Rubin, including inscription by the authorArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155446ca. 1947, undated3334353637383940Verdi Edition (incomplete), University of Chicago Press [1 of 3]Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155447undated41Verdi Edition (incomplete), University of Chicago Press [2 of 3]Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155448undated42"114 Songs By Charles E. Ives" (first edition)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155449192242Paray's "Mass for the Fifth Centenary of the Death of Joan of Arc" (rehearsal score for Yeend)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155450193142Verdi Edition (incomplete), University of Chicago Press [3 of 3]Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155451undated43Sound Recordings of Yeend (includes 1 tape and 1 compact disc)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155452undated44Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition, and other assorted booksArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155453190644The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1st EditionArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/15545419804545a46Books regarding Music (includes material regarding composers, conductors, and performers) and Other MaterialArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155455undated47484950CassettesArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155456undated51Piano-Vocal Score of "Foolish Fathers" by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari with English Translation by James Benner [this piece is likely a unique translation of "I quattro rusteghi," often translated as "The Four Curmudgeons," "The Four Ruffians," or "School for Fathers"]Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155457undated52Piano-Vocal Scores (includes early edition of "Norma" [by Bellini], and Yeend's rehearsal score for "Peter Grimes" [by Britten], for which she sang Ellen Orford in the American premiere of the opera in 1947)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155458undated53Piano-Vocal Score of "The Turn of the Screw" by Britten (photocopy with rehearsal markings by Benner)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155459undated54Scrapbook (includes postcards of European scenes and program for "Turandot" by Puccini starring Yeend in title role at the Verona Arena in the 1950s)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155460undated54Framed Opera Poster for WVU Production of "Foolish Fathers" by Wolf-Ferrari [this production is likely of a unique translation of "I quattro rusteghi," often translated as "The Four Curmudgeons," "The Four Ruffians," or "School for Fathers"]Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155461undated55Popular Sheet Music (before moving to New York, Yeend performed popular songs on the radio; this is the music she worked with)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155462ca. 1920-195055565758Yeend Scrapbook 2 (scrapbook of clippings documenting Yeend's career compiled by clipping service for Columbia Artists Management; in flat storage box)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554631949–195059Yeend Scrapbook 3 (scrapbook of clippings documenting Yeend's career compiled by clipping service for Columbia Artists Management; in large paige records carton)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554641950–195360Clippings ScrapbookArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554651944-1950s60Clippings Scrapbook (includes clipping regarding gift of Verdi score to Yeend from Ormandy [see box 15])Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554661953–195760Clippings ScrapbookArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554671947–195260Clippings ScrapbookArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554681944–195660Clippings ScrapbookArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554691946–195360Published art songs of various genres and composers, including miscellaneous (including a cover with Yeend's photo), old German lied, Elizabethan songs, Amy Beach, Arthur Farwell, American opera arias, Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, David Diamond, Gerald Finzi, Frederick Delius, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Arnold BaxArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155470undated61Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th EditionArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1563871961unboxedYeend Scrapbook 1 (scrapbook of clippings documenting Yeend's career compiled by clipping service for Columbia Artists Management)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554711947–1949unboxedYeend Scrapbook 4 (scrapbook of clippings documenting Yeend's career compiled by clipping service for Columbia Artists Management)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554721954–1955unboxed"Turandot" Poster, VeronaArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554731958unboxed"Elektra" Poster from Yeend's Debut at the Metropolitan OperaArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1554741961unboxedFramed Opera Poster for Production of "The Secret Marriage" [frequently known as "Il matrimonio segreto"]Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/155475undatedunboxedWilhemine Schroder-Devrient Note and Photograph3972_loaned_01Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/195909Dr. James Benner Oral History Audio and NotesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/195910