About The Sembrich Collection
Interior of The Sembrich Studio.
“The Sembrich Collection is perhaps the finest surviving example of the grandeur of opera in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.”
Step back a century in time and experience the incredible life of Marcella Sembrich through our extensive collection which is displayed in her historic teaching studio, features memorabilia of her distinguished international career. Letters, artwork, furniture, photographs, awards, and more can be viewed throughout the museum. Among these items, visitors will find numerous accolades from colleagues including notable figures such as Brahms, Puccini, Rachmaninoff, Toscanini, and Verdi. Performances are still given on the soprano’s original 1905 Steinway & Sons grand piano, which has been beautifully restored for performance and display.
If you are searching for a particular artifact in our extensive collection (see below), our knowledgeable staff can assist in research and identify artifacts that may be pertinent to your request.
Those needing images for research or publication should make a rights & reproductions inquiry.
The Sembrich Collection contains hundreds of photographs from Sembrich’s professional and personal life. Many of her operatic roles are documented through publicity photographs. In addition to documenting the development of the local environment, many former students can also be identified in images taken by Lake George Photographer Fred Thatcher (1881-1969). The photographic archive contains numerous formats including slides, glass plates, and acetate film.
In addition to photographs, there are numerous recital programs, periodicals, annotated speeches, handwritten notes, and other paper objects from Sembrich’s life and career. Of particular note are letters from Sergei Rachmaninoff, Giacomo Puccini, Cesar Cui, Leo Delibes, Amy Beach, and numerous other musical luminaries of the Gilded Age and the Golden Age of Opera.
Photographic & Flat Material
Sembrich in the Alps. (ca. 1909) From The Sembrich Collection
Sembrich was among the first commercial recording artists of the 20th century. Her voice is preserved on over 90 recordings produced by Columbia Records (1903) and the Victor Talking Machine, Co. (1904-1919). The collection contains original records for archival purposes and has digitized tracks available for much of her discography. Sembrich also made recordings with other artists of the time including Emma Eames, Enrico Caruso, Antonio Scotti, Alma Gluck, Louise Homer, and others that are preserved in the collection.
Historic Recordings
According to Robert Tuggle, the former Director of Archives at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, The Sembrich’s collection is “perhaps the finest surviving example of the grandeur of opera in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.”
The Sembrich’s collection includes complete and partial costumes and numerous accessories worn by Marcella Sembrich during her distinguished operatic career. Many of the garments were seen on stages across the United States and Europe, including at The Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and the Teatro Real. In 1983 The Metropolitan Opera selected The Sembrich’s enchanting “Queen of the Night” costume for display in The Met lobby to mark the company’s centennial season. In addition to garments and accessories, the textile collection contains home furnishings including embroidered linens, lace work, handwoven rugs, and other works.
This magnificent collection has been carefully preserved, and together with photographs and recordings, sheds light on an early period of opera that has all but vanished. Due to the fragile nature of these collection items, costumes & textiles are selectively displayed on a seasonal basis. If you are a researcher who is interested in arranging a private viewing of The Sembrich’s Costume Collection, please contact us for details or to make an appointment.
Costumes & Other Textiles
Sembrich’s Queen of the Night Gown.
Following Sembrich’s passing, a large portion of her personal collection of fine & decorative arts were donated to the museum by her daughter-in-law and The Sembrich’s founder Juliette de Coppet Stengel. The collection features paintings by Johann Berthelsen, Arthur B. Davies, Haskell Coffin, Franz von Lenbach, Paul Meyerheim, and others. Decorative arts including pottery, porcelain, glassware, sculptures, and other items are also exhibited on a permanent and rotating basis.
Fine & Decorative Art
Hundreds of scores and pages of sheet music, some containing annotations made by Sembrich, are preserved in the collection. Additional scores and books belonging to Sembrich found in other collections are detailed in the Other Resources section of this page.
The Sembrich’s collection of historic books includes opera scores, art song collections, and literary works. The majority of this material comes from the personal library of Madame Sembrich, but a small portion is comprised of posthumous publications regarding Sembrich.
Sheet Music & Historic Books
Other Resources
The Sembrich Papers at The New York Public Library
A large quantity of flat material was donated by The Sembrich to The New York Public Library (NYPL) for the Performing Arts to facilitate easier access for research. Contained in the Sembrich Papers are numerous letters to and from Marcella Sembrich, programs, concert flyers, financial documents, and more. The collection may be viewed at the Lincoln Center branch of the NYPL. For information, visit the NYPL website.
The Juilliard Library & Archives
The Julliard Library & Archives contain archival materials pertaining to Marcella Sembrich’s teaching career at the Juilliard Graduate School from approximately 1924-1935. Their collection also contains a listing of Marcella Sembrich’s personal music library.
The Curtis Institute of Music Library & Archives
The Curtis Institute of Music’s Library & Archives contain materials pertaining to Marcella Sembrich’s tenure as the founding director of the Curtis Institute’s vocal department from approximately 1924 - 1934.