FLVC logo

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (Jacksonville, Florida) Collection, 1961-2012

 

Summary

Creator:
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
Extent:
3.00 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (Jacksonville, Florida) Collection, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) in Jacksonville, Florida, was founded in September 1949, and its sixty-three year history since reflects its development and current standing as a significant cultural resource. The collection provides historical documentation of the musical concerts and performances, and events and activities of the JSO from 1961 to date. The core of the collection are print ephemera, including event and performance programs, subscribers' cards and invitations, and publicity and news items. Of particular interest are source materials from the Grand Opening of the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, and the Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouses from 1977.

Biographical / historical:

Founded on September 21, 1949, by charter of the Florida Circuit Court, the first performance of the JSO was held on March 8, 1950, with Music Director Van Lier Lanning conducting. Early performance venues included the Duval Armory, George Washington Hotel Auditorium, and the Prudential Building. Music directors included: Van Lier Lanning, 1950-1952; James Christian Pfohl, 1952-1962; John Canarina, 1962-1969; Daniell Revenaugh, 1969-1970; Willis Page, 1971-1983; Roger Nierenberg, 1984-1998; Fabio Mechetti, 1999- . The following events are significant highlights in the development of the orchestra: **Jacksonville Civic Auditorium named JSO's permanent venue (1962) **Performances by renowned artists include: Isaac Stern (1955, 1987); Andres Segovia (1956); Beverly Sills (1957, 1977); Arthur Fiedler (1968, 1970-71, 1973, 1975, 1977); Jack Benny (1970); Birgit Nilsson (1971); Duke Ellington (1972); Roberta Peters (1973, 1977, 1980, 1989); Van Cliburn (1973, 1976); Benny Goodman (1976); Robert Merrill (1976); Yehudi Menuhin (1978); Marilyn Horne (1980, 1998); Leontyne Price (1986); Kiri Te Kanawa (1989); Frederica von Stade (1989, 2010); Luciano Pavarotti (1989); Itzhak Perlman (1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2009); Rudolph Nureyev (1990); Joshua Bell (1991, 1994, 1998, 2012); Kathleen Battle (1993, 1996, 1998, 2003); Yo-Yo Ma (1995); Pinchas Zukerman (1997); Mstislav Rostropovich (2002); Midori (2006) **Willis Page named new music director (1971) **Symphony performs at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Carnegie Hall in New York (1972) **Roger Nierenberg named new music director (1984) **Luciano Pavarotti performs with the Symphony at the Jacksonville Coliseum (1989) **Opening of the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, new home of the Symphony (1997) **Fabio Mechetti named new music director (1999) **First grand opera, Puccini's Tosca, performed (2001) **JSO produces first commercial recording, Carmina Burana (2005) **JSO celebrates 60th anniversary (2009-2010 season) **Conductor Fabio Mechetti announces the 2012-2013 season will be his last full season

Note written by

Acquisition information:
The collection was acquired through donation from Linda Lockwood Smith and Archives staff.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research by appointment only. Please contact lib-special@unf.edu to schedule an appointment.

Terms of access:

Materials in the collection may be subject to copyright and are to be used for private study, scholarship, or research in accordance with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Use of reproductions of copyrighted works in excess of "fair use," may result in the user's liability for copyright infringement and be subject to the civil and criminal penalties of federal law. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for further information

Preferred citation:

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (Jacksonville, Florida) Collection, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.

Location of this collection:
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville
FL
32224
USA