Scope and Content Note
The Victor Herbert Collection chiefly consists of manuscripts (full and reduced scores, orchestral parts, and sketches) of the theater works of Victor Herbert, including his light operas such as Babes in Toyland , The Red Mill and Naughty Marietta . In addition to his operettas and operas, items include one silent film score, overtures for several feature films, selections written for a number of productions by the Lambs’ Club, and selections from several Broadway revues. In addition, the collection includes manuscripts for most of Herbert’s large-scale symphonic works, chamber pieces, solo songs and choral compositions.
Most of the music manuscripts are identified in the finding aid as being in the hand of either Herbert, his friend and assistant Harold Sanford, or arranger Otto Langey. In addition, there are a number of scores in the hands of various unidentified copyists. While most of the manuscript orchestral parts are, not surprisingly, in the hands of copyists, there are quite a number of parts copied out by Herbert himself.
In addition to the music manuscripts, the collection includes printed music by other composers, correspondence, programs, clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, promotional materials, iconography and legal papers.
Any published sheet music of Herbert that may have previously resided with this collection has been moved to the Library of Congress general holdings. This finding aid reflects that action and supercedes any previous versions.