Collection
This collection documents nearly two centuries of performing arts in Montreal, Canada, the United States and several European countries. It chronicles the cultural activity and artistic trends specific to certain periods, the lives and careers of artists and creators, the productions of companies and troupes, and changing public tastes. The bulk of this corpus is made up of archives covering theatre, music, dance, opera and musicals of all types.
Printed programs (for individual shows, seasons or festivals), tickets, posters and press clippings document several hundred theatrical productions in Montreal, Canada and elsewhere, from 1835 to the late 1970s. The lyric arts (opera and operetta) and other musicals are represented by numerous show programs and tickets, along with souvenir albums from the Société canadienne d'opérette.
The most voluminous series in the collection is the one devoted to music. It contains numerous musical scores in various genres, many of which are compiled into personalized collections. It also has hundreds of programs from concerts presented in Montreal and elsewhere as early as 1831, invitations, tickets, posters, press clippings, periodicals, and theoretical and instructive works.
Although show programs make up the majority of the items in the series devoted to dance, this series also contains invitations, tickets and press clippings, as well as several programs and invitations associated more specifically with dance galas.
Finally, several programs, tickets and press clippings document variety and circus shows, film screenings, and religious and military ceremonies.
Classification Scheme
C156
Performing Arts Collection
C156/A Theatre
C156/A1 Shows and
events
C156/A1.1
Programs
C156/A1.1,1 Shows presented in Montreal
C156/A1.1,2
Shows presented outside Montreal
C156/A1.2
Tickets
C156/A1.3
Posters
C156/A1.4
Press clippings
C156/A2 Theory and documentation
C156/B Operas, Operettas and Musical
C156/B1 Shows and
events
C156/B2 Theory and
documentation
C156/C Music
C156/C1 Works
C156/C1.1
Sheet music, loose and in books
C156/C1.1,1
Popular songs
C156/C1.1,2 Folk songs and patriotic songs
C156/C1.1,3
Classical music
C156/C1.1,4
Hymns and anthems
C156/C1.2
Personal collections of sheet music
C156/C1.3 Song lyrics, loose and in books
C156/C1.4
Recordings
C156/C2 Shows and
events
C156/C2.1
Programs
C156/C2.1,1 Shows presented in Montreal
C156/C2.1,2
Shows presented outside Montreal
C156/C2.2
Invitations and tickets
C156/C2.3
Posters
C156/C2.4
Press clippings
C156/C3 Theory and
documentation
C156/C4 Personal
calendars and diaries
C156/D Dances
C156/D1 Shows and
events
C156/D1.1
Show programs
C156/D1.1,1 Shows presented in Montreal
C156/D1.1,2
Shows presented outside Montreal
C156/D1.2
Invitations and tickets
C156/D1.3
Dance gala invitations and programs
C156/D1.4
Press clippings
C156/D2 Theory and
documentation
C156/E Other Performing Arts
C156/F Multidisciplinary Events
Variations in title: Formerly known as the Programs Collection.
Source of title proper: Based on the contents of the collection.
Physical condition: Some documents, particularly the musical scores and printed programs from the 19th century, are fragile and must be handled with care.
Immediate source of acquisition: Among the documents that make up this collection, several are from the original collection of David Ross McCord. Others were donated by collectors: Mrs. P. W. Brodie, Mrs. C. McCormick, Beatrice Pattison, Dr. Minnie Gomery, Geneviève Grenon, Edna Wootan, Dr. A. E. Whitehead, A. H. Coates, Colin McMichael, Susan Alain and Nora Teresa Corley Murchison. Several documents are from unknown sources.
Arrangement: A new classification plan was
adopted in 2017 when the Score and Sheet Music (C149) and Programs (C156)
collections were combined. This reclassification was designed to create a
single thematic collection covering all the performing arts. At the same time,
programs from the Susan Alain (C339) and Corley-Murchison (C340) collections
were also added.
Language: The documents are in English, French and German. Several documents
are bilingual (English and French).
Related groups of records: Several McCord Museum fonds and collections include archives associated with the performing arts, such as the McCord Family Fonds (P001), the Sally Starke Collection (C153), the Edward Ryckman Alexander Fonds (P155), and the Willie Eckstein Fonds (P767).
Last update: August 30, 2017
Information about the objects in our collection is updated to reflect new research findings. If you have any information to share regarding this object, please email reference.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca.Information about rights and reproductions is available here.
This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.