Collection Summary
Isobel Stone Operettas
1932-1957
1932-1957
ML31.S749
Stone, Isobel
30 items
4 containers
2 linear feet
English
Collection material in English
Music Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Isobel Stone (circa 1892-circa 1969) was a lyric
soprano, poet, author, librettist, and composer. This collection contains unpublished
typescript libretti and holograph piano-vocal scores and lead sheets for sixteen of her
operettas, including The Midnight King,
Ojeda, and Youthbound.
Acquisition Information
Gifts, Isobel Stone, 1950s
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
Jane Cross processed the Isobel Stone Operettas and coded the finding aid in 2022.
Related Material
Stone's play
The Man Possessed
is part of the [Manuscript Plays Collection,
Library of Congress Copyright Office drama deposits, 1863-1973]. The Library of Congress has cataloged a book and several published collections that
include her poetry:
[The
City of a Hundred Gates],
[Singing Davids],
[Daggers in a Star],
and
[Lyric
Invaders].
Libretti, poems, and other literary works can be found in copyright deposits
at the Library of Congress.
Copyright Status
Materials from the Isobel Stone Operettas are governed by the Copyright Law of the
United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
The Isobel Stone Operettas are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the
Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials
will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions on using or copying materials may apply.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
[item, date, container number], Isobel Stone Operettas, Music Division, Library of
Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1892 or 1894
Isobel Stone (also known as Isabel or Isabella) was born in Washington, D.C.,
to Elizabeth B. White Stone (1853-1910) and William Alexis Stone (1846-1920),
governor of Pennsylvania from 1898 to 1904
1898
1904
Lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1904
1920?
Lived in Pittsburgh
circa 1918-1920
Studied opera on a scholarship
1921
Made her stage debut in
Aphrodite
at the Century Theatre in New York City
circa 1922
Sang with the San Carlo Opera Company in the role of Siebel in
Faust
circa 1922
circa 1930
Appeared in several Broadway productions
Served as an understudy
Continued voice studies
1925
Performed in the San Carlo Theater Company’s production of
Carmen
in Pittsburgh
circa 1925
1926
Toured picture theaters with a photoplay
1927 July-September
Performed with Starlight Park Opera in the
Bronx
1927 September
Booked for a series of picture house engagements that opened in
Philadelphia
circa 1927
Moved into the derelict barge "Nancy May" on Sherman Creek near Dyckman
Street with sister Peggy O’Neill
Began singing in nightclubs
circa 1927
1930
Was heard on the radio in New York City
1928 January
Billboard
reported that Stone was to head the vaudeville novelty
Gold Act
, set to play locally as well as tour on a major circuit
Performed at the Pennsylvania Society’s Tea and received favorable reviews
1928 July
Stone's “riches to rags” story of living on a barge published in
newspapers across the country
1928 August
Bought a house on Barrow Street in Greenwich Village
1928 September
Engaged to editor, vanity publisher, and poet Henry Harrison, son of Dr.
Morris and Fanny Harrison
1928 October
Studied music at the Charles Trier Operatic Workshop
Offered roles by San Carlo Opera Company and Philadelphia Civic
Opera
1929
Poetry included in the collection
5 Poets
published by Henry
Harrison
Billboard
reported that Stone's act was being “reroutined” and that she filled
in with road-house engagements, including ones at Ben Riley’s Arrowhead Inn,
and Shannon’s Resort in New Jersey
1930 September
Featured in
The Royal Egyptians
produced by Prince Hadji Tahar, complete with Arabian swordsmen, gun
twirlers, dancers, a singing comedienne, and seven-piece orchestra
1930
Poetry included in the collections
Singing Davids
,
Daggers in a Star
, and
Lyric Invaders
published by Henry Harrison
Her work was included in the first issue of the literary and arts review
Gumby Studio Quarterly
published by L. S. Alexander Gumby
1938
Monograph
Crossroads of Night: A Novel of Ancient Egypt
published by Bruce Humphries, Inc. (Boston)
1941
Copyrighted her play
The Man Possessed
1942
Monograph
The City of a Hundred Gates
published by Bruce Humphries, Inc. (Boston). Stone supplied the cover
art
circa 1947
Lived at 2925 West Nineteenth Street, Coney Island, New York
1961
Either visited or moved to Washington, D.C., to apply for a job as an ambassador
circa 1969
Died
2001
Collection of Stone's work published in
Portraits and Snapshots
by United Press Ltd. (London)
Bibliography
1900 United States Census, Harrisburg Ward 4, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, s.v. "Isabel E. Stone," Ancestry.com.
1910 United States Census, Pittsburgh Ward 22, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, s.v. "Isabella Stone," Ancestry.com.
"Alert Camerman Brings News and Views from Here and There."
Los Angeles Times,
July 23, 1928. ProQuest.
"Dog Has Her Day - And Is Freed by Court."
The New York Times,
June 18, 1947. ProQuest.
"Ex-Heiress in Night Club."
New York Times,
July 27, 1928. ProQuest.
"Ex-Heiress Tells of Struggle in City."
The New York Times,
July 22, 1928. ProQuest.
"Girl Who Forsook Society for Art Engaged to Poet."
The Hartford Courant,
September 26, 1928. ProQuest.
"Going on Today."
New York Tribune/Herald Tribune,
May 24, 1938. ProQuest.
"Governor's Daughter Doing Single."
The Billboard,
June 13, 1925. ProQuest.
"Hurled from Luxury into Want, Woman Strives to Win Career."
The Baltimore Sun,
July 20, 1928. ProQuest.
"Isabel Stone Wins Wealth and Fiance."
The New York Times,
September 25, 1928. ProQuest.
"Isobel Stone Does Concert."
The Billboard,
February 4, 1928. ProQuest.
"Isobel Stone Given Big Birthday Dinner."
The Billboard,
June 12, 1926. ProQuest.
"Isobel Stone Gets Opera Offers."
The Billboard,
October 13, 1928. ProQuest.
"Isobel Stone Heads 'Gold Act.'"
The Billboard,
January 7, 1928. ProQuest.
"Isobel Stone Signs with San Carlo Opera."
The Billboard,
August 2, 1927. ProQuest.
"Isobel Stone to Marry Poet."
Los Angeles Times,
September 26, 1928. ProQuest.
"Isobel Stone Will Head Arab Novelty."
The Billboard,
September 27, 1930. ProQuest.
"Operatic Soprano to Play Picture Houses With Trio"
The Billboard,
September 3, 1927. ProQuest.
"Radio Entertainers."
The Billboard,
October 19, 1929. ProQuest.
"Reroutining Stone Act."
The Billboard,
August 17, 1929. ProQuest.
Shelton, Isabelle.
"Job Seeker."
The Sunday Star,
March 26, 1961. ProQuest.
Schemburg, A. A.
"New Magazine Is Accessible to All Shades of Thought."
New Journal and Guide,
November 8, 1930. ProQuest.
"Starlight Park Opera to Begin July 6th."
New York Herald Tribune,
May 29, 1927. ProQuest.
"Why the Million-Dollar Beauties Had to Live on a Barge."
The Philadelphia Enquirer,
September 2, 1928. ProQuest.
"Wm. A. Stone's Daughters Live in Barge Hovel."
New York Herald Tribune,
July 20, 1928. ProQuest.
Scope and Content Note
The Isobel Stone Operettas span from 1932 to 1957. The [Operettas](ead10001) series contains unpublished
libretti and holograph piano-vocal scores and lead sheets for sixteen of her operettas.
Stone provides brief descriptions on the title pages, such as "A Bavarian grand opera"
for
The Midnight King
and "A French play with music, or play in verse" for
Sister Magdalene
. Not all libretti are complete; in some instances, the materials are select
pages of changes and additions she submitted to the Library of Congress following her
initial submissions for copyright.
Organization of the Isobel Stone Operettas
The collection is arranged in one series:
-
[Operettas,
1932-1957](ead10001)
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Stone, Isobel (Poet)
Stone, Isobel (Poet)
Stone, Isobel (Poet). Works. Selections.
Subjects
Operas--Librettos.
Operas--Vocal scores.
Form/Genre
Autographs (Manuscripts)
Lead sheets.
Librettos.
Operas.
Screenplays.
Vocal scores.
Container List
Operettas, 1932-1957
1932-1957
Unpublished, typescript libretti and holograph piano-vocal scores and lead sheets
for sixteen operettas by Isobel Stone comprise this series. She provides brief
descriptions on the title pages, such as "A Bavarian grand opera" for
The Midnight King
and "A French play with music, or play in verse" for
Sister Magdalene
. Not all libretti are complete; in some instances, the materials are
select pages of changes and additions Stone submitted to the Library of Congress
following her initial submissions for copyright. All libretti include the names
and addresses of one or more New York City attorneys, D. Saavedra at Murrry Hill
Station and E. L. Cole on Liberty Street.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
3/1
The Black Ace,
1954
Note: "A musical comedy
with libretto, lyrics, and several songs set to music"
1954
Libretto; lead sheets
1/1
Destiny in Spain,
undated
undated
Changes and additions to the libretto; piano-vocal score
The Enchanted Diamond
Note: "A Brazilian musical comedy"
1/2
Birth of the Mamba,
undated
undated
Lead sheet
3/2
The Enchanted Diamond,
undated
undated
Changes and additions to the libretto
Imerati
Note: "A music-drama"
1/3
Imerati,
undated
undated
Lead sheet
3/3
Imerati,
undated
undated
Libretto
King from Texas
Alternate title: The Yankee King
Note: "A cowboy musical comedy"
1/4
King from Texas,
1941
1941
Lead sheets
3/4-5
King from Texas,
1941
1941
Libretto
3/6
The Lost Empire,
1954
Note: "An Arabian
operetta, libretto and lyrics, for stage production"
1954
Libretto
3/7
The Man Possessed,
undated
undated
Changes and additions to the libretto
The Midnight King
Note: "A Bavarian grand opera"
1/5 to 2/1
The Midnight King,
1941
1941
Piano-vocal scores; lead sheets
3/8
The Midnight King,
1941
1941
Libretto
4/1
The Midnight King,
undated
undated
Changes and additions to the libretto
4/2
Oil Town, Pennsylvania,
1932
1932
Changes to the libretto
Ojeda
Alternate title: Keeper of the Flame
Note: "The Aztecs and
Toltecs of Mexico"
2/2
Ojeda,
1942
1942
Piano-vocal scores; lead sheets
2/3
Ojeda,
1955
1955
Piano-vocal scores; lead sheets
4/3
Ojeda,
1942
1942
Libretto
4/4
Ojeda,
1955?
1955?
Changes to the libretto
Red Gold
2/4
Red Gold,
undated
undated
Piano-vocal scores; lead sheets
4/5
Red Gold,
1955?
1955?
Changes to the libretto
4/6
The Return,
undated
undated
Note: Described by
Stone as "An Eskimo music-drama"
Libretto (incomplete)
Sister Magdalene
Note: "A French play with music, or play in verse"
4/7
Sister Magdalene,
undated
undated
Libretto
4/8
Sister Magdalene,
undated
undated
Screen play
Sun-Man
Alternate title: A Sculptor of Dreams
Note: Described by
Stone as "An Indian operetta on the Canadian Blackfoot tribe"
2/5
Sun-Man,
1942
1942
Piano-vocal scores; lead sheets
4/9
Sun-Man,
1955?
1955?
Additional libretto pages
4/10
The Widow in White,
1957
1957
Note: "A play in verse,
or music-drama"
Libretto
Youthbound
Note: Described by
Stone as "A Gypsy operetta"
2/6
Youthbound,
undated
undated
Piano-vocal scores; lead sheets
4/11
Youthbound,
1953
1953
Libretto
4/12
Youthbound,
undated
undated
Changes to the libretto