While every week at the Library offers something exciting for visitors, researchers and staff, there are certain occasions (like this week) when there is a confluence of musical activity that should perk up everyone's ears. Three major events will grace the Coolidge Auditorium stage, featuring a Broadway and film star, a stellar vocal group that features graduates of the Thomanerchor in Leipzig (that's the chorus that J.S. Bach led at Thomaskirche) and a blockbuster evening of chamber music with the Belcea and Ébène Quartets. Attendees of each event will have a unique chance to see items from the Music Division's collections.
The following is a guest blog by Music Reference Specialist Morgan Davis. Actress, comedian, author and media personality Whoopi Goldberg visited the Library of Congress on Friday, May 10 to discuss her new autobiography, “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me.” Prior to her public conversation with Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, …
This autumn, many of Washington, D.C.’s arts and culture venues are collaborating to present the Shakespeare Everywhere Festival. The Library of Congress is pleased to participate in this gathering of theatrical productions, concerts, lectures, and educational events on offer through December 31, 2023. Bibliophiles and music lovers can experience two special events as part of …
The following is a guest post by Music Division Assistant Chief, Nicholas Brown. In honor of this Saturday’s National Book Festival, the Music Division is pleased to share a page-to-screen tidbit relating to the new romantic comedy film “Red, White & Royal Blue” (Prime, 2023) that is being released on August 11, 2023. Based on …
On December 3, 1947, A Streetcar Named Desire opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City. It was the third full-length play by Tennessee Williams, a 36-year-old writer whose Broadway debut, The Glass Menagerie, was just two years earlier. Streetcar ran for more than two years clocking in at 855 performances, the longest …
I for one welcome our new insect leaders with open arms. As we celebrate our 1001st blog post (give or take a few), the Music Division also celebrates a major update to the Federal Theatre Project Collection, which features some of the most requested material in the division. Much of the work for this update …
The following is a guest post from Senior Music Specialist Mark Eden Horowitz. “Angie says she’d be delighted to hear from you.” That was the reply I got from Stephen Sondheim when I emailed him: “Angela Lansbury is currently in DC with the tour of Blithe Spirit. I’d like to invite her to the Library for …
The following is a guest post from Music Division Archivist Janet McKinney. By their very nature, the performing arts depend on the key element of live interaction. But what happens to this art when that component is taken away? In March 2020, concert halls, theaters, and other live performance venues were forced to close their …
A look at three design renderings from the Paul F. Stiga Collection of Stage and Costume Design and how they connect to stories about the LGBTQ+ experience.
