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Papers, 1929-1974 (bulk, 1935-1950).

Title: Papers, 1929-1974 (bulk, 1935-1950).

The most significant items include: notes toward a biography of Kurt Weill, consisting of interviews or reminiscences from several of his friends, collaborators, and Lotte Lenya herself; a partial typescript of a late draft of Davis's novel The opening of a door; shorter Davis manuscripts, including "Dutchy Schmidt," "Georgette," "The rabbit," and fragments of a planned second novel; letters from W.H. Auden, Katherine Anne Porter, Caroline Gordon, Colin McPhee, Carmel Snow (editor of Harper's Bazaar), Robert Lowry, Edouard de Bay, Grace Mitchell, and members of Davis's family; a holograph manuscript of Auden's; several manuscripts by the poet Harry Roskolenko; clippings and manuscripts on the French artist Christian Bérard; records of Davis's tenure at Columbia University and various writing workshops; photographs of many well-known artists, including Auden, Bérard, Lotte Lenya, and Jean Genet; and an address book possibly belonging to Lenya. The collection is heterogeneous, consisting of well over 100 personal letters; hundreds of pieces of graphic art (mainly photographs, postcards, and advertisements which Davis apparently used for inspiration or esthetic pleasure) including numerous photographs of his friends and family; manuscripts and publications of his own and of other people (several manuscripts on the Brooklyn psychic Mollie Fancher), including published works by Robert Lowry and James Flora; his financial records from the 1940's; documents including his death certificate and Social Security card; and, some records (mainly in the form of correspondence) of his activities as editor, writing instructor, and writer. Although the collection contains personal or business letters from a variety of well-known artists, in only a few cases is such a figure represented by more than one letter. There are few written records of his work with Lenya in the 1950's, although there are a number of photographs from that time.

ArchivalResource: ca. 3.5 linear ft. (5 boxes).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/86164809 View

Lenya, Lotte, 1898-1981. Writings and interviews, [195-]-1979.

Title: Writings and interviews, [195-]-1979.

Typescripts.

ArchivalResource: 40 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/152675212 View

Capalbo, Carmen,. An oral history interview with Carmen Capalbo / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, New York City, 1986 March 7 : recording and transcript.

Title: An oral history interview with Carmen Capalbo / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, New York City, 1986 March 7 : recording and transcript.

Capalbo's interview focuses on the production of The threepenny opera--its prehistory, preparation, and success. He tells the story of how he came to direct the show in the first place, and reveals many details about the size and cost of the production and his own directing decisions. In addition, he discusses Lotte Lenya's acting talents and business dealings, and her relations with Marc Blitzstein (adaptor of Die Dreigroschenoper) and George Davis (Lenya's husband).

ArchivalResource: 1 transcript (29 p.) ; 28 cm.2 sound cassettes (ca. 135 min.) : analog, 1 5/16 ips., stereo.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122379426 View

Caniff, Milton Arthur, 1907-1988,. An oral history interview with Milton Caniff / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, New York City, 1985 October 15 : recording and transcript.

Title: An oral history interview with Milton Caniff / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, New York City, 1985 October 15 : recording and transcript.

In a wide-ranging interview, Caniff talks about Lotte Lenya's life from the early 1940's until her death in 1981. He covers all four of her husbands (Weill, George Davis, Russell Detwiler, Richard Siemanowski), as well as her friendships with Mab Anderson, Dag Hammarskjöld, and Vivian Leigh. The interview also covers his impressions of Lenya's character and personality. He recalls the Americanization of Weill and Lenya. He also speaks of the genesis of the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music and his role in it.

ArchivalResource: 1 transcript (27 p.) ; 28 cm.2 sound cassettes (ca. 135 min.) : analog, 1 5/16 ips., stereo.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122579914 View

Lenya, Lotte, 1898-1981. Papers, 1923-1982 (bulk, 1950-1980).

Title: Papers, 1923-1982 (bulk, 1950-1980).

Almost all items come from after 1950. Among the most important: a diagram of her family tree; several letters from Kurt Weill's family shortly after his death, notably from his brother Nathan; contracts pertaining to Lenya's performances in the 1970's; numerous royalty statements for productions of Weill's works in the 1970's; invitations to the White House; das Grosse Verdienstkreuz awarded by the German government in 1969; numerous recognitions of her performances or service; her collection of Brecht's writings, articles on Brecht, programs, and reviews; a number of photographs, calendars, and postcards publicizing her singing career and her starring role in Cabaret; several photo albums recording both her professional and personal life. The collection is heterogeneous, including many relatively ephemeral items, a large number of photographs (mainly of family and friends, though Burt Reynolds is represented), and drawings by Richard Ely and Boris Aronson. Memorabilia from Joe Masteroff, Milton Caniff, Maxwell Anderson, and Lys Symonette may also be found. Financial records are rather sparse, but enough have been preserved to give some picture of her business dealings in the 1970's.

ArchivalResource: ca. 140 items (3 linear ft.)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122579854 View

Moor, Paul, 1924-,. An oral history interview with Paul Moor / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, Los Angeles, 1986 August 19 : recording and transcript.

Title: An oral history interview with Paul Moor / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, Los Angeles, 1986 August 19 : recording and transcript.

Moor's interview covers in detail the death of Lenya's second husband, George Davis, in Berlin in 1957, and provides additional information about Davis. He goes on to give his recollections of Lenya's life and career after 1957. He describes her relationship not only with Davis, but with her third husband Russell Detwiler, and Helene Weigel, the widow of Bertolt Brecht, including a memorable meeting between Lenya and Weigel.

ArchivalResource: 1 transcript (23 p.) ; 28 cm.1 sound cassette (ca. 120 min.) : analog, 1 5/16 ips., stereo.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/152675394 View

Guarneri, Victor Carl, 1920-. Correspondence with Lotte Lenya, George Davis, and Anna Krebs, and Lenya mementos, 1956-1981.

Title: Correspondence with Lotte Lenya, George Davis, and Anna Krebs, and Lenya mementos, 1956-1981.

Correspondence, autographs, and a photograph.

ArchivalResource: Correspondence: 15 items.1 photograph.2 autographs.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/86164807 View

Lenya, Lotte, 1898-1981. Library, 1950-1981.

Title: Library, 1950-1981.

The collection is comprised of books collected by Lenya and/or George Davis after Kurt Weill's death in 1950. (The books she owned with Weill are filed in Weill's Library, Series 90.) It includes books of literature of all types, historical studies, art books, and reference works. The largest group of books related to a single person is formed by the two shelves of titles by or about Bertolt Brecht. Many are inscribed, presentation copies. Some relate directly to her work, such as an edition of Kafka short stories with annotations made in preparation for her recordings of them.

ArchivalResource: 441 books (titles)6 scores.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/152675415 View

Anderson, Hesper,. An oral history interview with Hesper Anderson / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, Los Angeles, 1986 March 22 : recording and transcript.

Title: An oral history interview with Hesper Anderson / conducted for the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music by Donald Spoto, Los Angeles, 1986 March 22 : recording and transcript.

Hesper Anderson discusses life on South Mountain Road in New City, N.Y. during the 1940's, specifically the friendship between the Weills and Andersons. She goes on to speak of Lenya's life after Weill's death--the rebirth of her theater career, her marriage to George Davis, and her last years. In particular, Anderson takes up the relations between Lenya and Margo Harris in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Her interview also covers the marriage of Maxwell and Mab Anderson, and her effect on his career as a playwright.

ArchivalResource: 1 transcript (24 p.) ; 28 cm.2 sound cassettes (ca. 45 min.) : analog, 1 5/16 ips., stereo.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122408791 View