Martha Lipton papers, 1939-2006, bulk 1939-1977

Summary

Creator:
Lipton, Martha
Abstract:
Martha Lipton was a prolific performer at the New York Metropolitan Opera as a mezzo-soprano for sixteen seasons. She was a soloist who sang under the direction of many renowned conductors before coming to Indiana University Bloomington as a Professor of Voice in 1960. This collection contains professional promotional materials, clippings and performance programs spanning her career.
Extent:
1.4 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are primarily in English but some materials are in German , Spanish , and French .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Martha Lipton papers, Collection C30, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Background

Biographical Note:

Born in New York City on April 6, 1913, Martha Lipton went on to win a scholarship to the Julliard School, graduating in 1942 and the following year becoming an Honorary Member of Delta Omicron, a worldwide music fraternity at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. In 1944 she made her debut with the New York Opera Company and went on to also perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera. Her 401st and last performance with the Met was in 1961. During her career Lipton performed three dozen roles in four languages. She also sang under famous conductors such as Bruno Walter, Leonard Bernstein, and Leopold Stowkowski.

Lipton came to Indiana University as a professor of voice in 1960 where she also performed in many IU opera productions. The most notable being Puccini's "Aida" in which she played the role of Amneris in IU's outdoor stage production at Memorial Stadium in July and August of 1963. While she officially retired from teaching in 1983 with the rank of professor emeritus, she continued to teach part-time until her death on November 28, 2006.

Scope and Content Note:

Spanning the years 1939-1987, the Martha Lipton papers are organized into three series: Biographical, Correspondence, and Professional files.

The Biographical series includes clippings of reviews of her performances and biographical interviews (undated, 1939-2004). There are a few clippings from the Bloomington Herald Times. The Indiana University Emeritus Club Honors file (1983) contains the certificate award naming her as a member.

The Correspondence series (1966-2006) includes primarily personal correspondence with her father and mother, and from current and former students in support of her nomination for distinguished professorship.

The Professional files series includes performance programs (1939-1987) of performances she played in various venues and countries. The Promotional Materials file (undated) contains posters promoting her talent and roles performed with reviewers' quotes from newspapers and magazines. The Stage Sets and Performance Notes (undated) is a small notebook with sketches of stage props performer's locations and movement directions on the sets of three productions; Samson, Tristan and Isolde, and The ballad of Baby Doe. Notes are written in French, German, and English.

Acquisition information:
Accession 2012/152
Appraisal:

Multiple copies of promotional materials were pulled from the collection and recycled.

Provenance:

Transferred from the IU Music Library in 2012; signed over to Indiana University by trustee of Lipton's estate.

Processing Information:

Processed by Cynthia L. Pemberton.

Completed in 2013.

Arrangement:

Collection is organized into three series: Biographical, Correspondence, and Professional files.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.

Terms of access:

The donor of this collection have transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.

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Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item], Martha Lipton papers, Collection C30, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.

Location of this collection:
Herman B Wells Library E460
1320 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
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Campus:
Indiana University Bloomington
Contact:
812-855-1127
archives@iu.edu