Barber, Samuel, 1910-1981
Biography
Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music from 1924 to 1934, studying composition with Rosario Scalero, piano with Isabelle Vengerova (1924-1926), and voice with Emilio de Gogorza.
In 1928, Scalero accepted italian-born student Gian-Carlo Menotti who became Barber's colleague and life partner. The two composers had a very close relationship with Curtis founder, Mary Louise Curtis. They corresponded often, and she assisted them professionally and financially at times. Her assistance enabled them to purchase their home, known as Capricorn, in Mt. Kisco, New York which became a meeting place for artists and intellectuals. After Barber and Menotti separated, the house was sold in 1973.
Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:
00006 Rosario Scalero and students at his home, Castello de Montestrutto, in Gressoney, Italy, 1929 summer
Gressoney, in the Italian Alps
00922 Gian Carlo Menotti, Samuel Barber, and Gama Gilbert, c. 1930-1932
Hand-written autographed orchestration of Samuel Barber’s “The Commando March, July 1943
Letters from Samuel Barber to Sheppard Lehnhoff, 1941-1942
(2) letters from Barber to his old friend, violist Sheppard Lehnhoff. The first, dated December 1941, regards Barber trying to get a copy of his 'Serenade' for Lehnhoff. The second, dated March 1942, critiques the latter's performance of one of his works (unnamed).