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Creator(s): |
McDermott, (Edward J.)
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Title: |
McDermott Record collection
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Dates: |
1900-1940
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Quantity: |
6 box(es)
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Abstract: |
The collection consists of 164 78 r.p.m. phonograph recordings of Enrico Caruso, John McCormack, recordings of classical music
composed by Beethoven, Grieg, and of popular musical artists of the 1920's and 1930's. Additional recordings contain instructional
latin lessons.
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Identification: |
rppc_mcdermott
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The recordings are in English, Italian, and Latin.
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Repository: |
Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections
1 Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02918-0001 www.providence.edu/archives |
The Victor/Victrola Record Company was in operation from 1901 to 1929, until the 1929 Stock Market crash, which decimating the non-essential commodities industry. They would revive their status by merging with RCA in the 1930's (giving birth to the company's iconic image of the dog listening to 'his master's voice' via the phonograph). But before then, the company had been world famous for their sound and for the performers who lent their voices to their medium of the phonograph.
Perhaps the most famous of all the performers included in this series the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. Caruso had gained international renown for the ease of which his vocal tones transmitted across the medium of the phonograph. While many of his contemporaries disdained the idea of recording their voices on such a machine, Caruso saw an opportunity to reach a broader audience, regardless of the low fidelity of the sound produced on the albums. Another prominent singer to lend his voice to the Victor/Victrola Company was John McCormack, an Irish tenor, famous for his diction and breath control during his operas.
Other, smaller record companies that have products in the collection include the Harvard Phonograph Records, Student Records, Cameo Records, Parlophone Odeum Series, Decca Records, Radiex, as well as the prestigious Columbia Records.
This collection consists exclusively of one-hundred and sixty-four 78 r.p.m. records, donated to Providence College by Edward J. McDermott. The series is arranged by performer or subject, depending on the variation. The two primary performers in this collection are Enrico Caruso, who is credited with being one of the first to lend his voice to the then-new medium of the phonograph, and thereby sky-rocketing the popularity of the new device, as well as John McCormack, a world-famous Irish tenor.
The other records involve lessons in learning the Latin language through the works of various ancient authors, including Virgil and Cicero. Also included are recordings of classical music, composed by Beethoven, Grieg, and others. Additional albums are recordings of a Solemn High Catholic Mass, and recordings of popular musical artists of the 1920's and 1930's.
The collection is arranged into five series.
Series list
Researchers wishing to find materials related to this collection should search the HELIN catalog with these index terms -- View the catalog record for this collection.
NamesMcDermott Record collection, Providence College Library, Special and Archival Collections
Acquistions InformationThe was collected by Edward J. McDermott of North Providence, Rhode Island and donated by him to Providence College in 1976-77
Processing InformationThe collection was originally processed by Providence Archives staff.
Finding aid prepared by Daniel Neal.
Finding aid encoded by Daniel Neal,
2009
Open for research.
Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Librarian of Special and Archival Collections when in compliance to the College's policy on copyright and publication.
Separated MaterialsNo materials were separated from this collection.
There no known related materials.
Technical RequirementsResearchers are advised that the Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections department does not maintain the appropiate phonograph equipment to play the 78 r.p.m. albums contained in this collection.