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Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, opera librettos, songs, short stories, novels, sketches, and critical reviews. It also has personal family papers of Kurt (Ashley Vernon) and Greta Hartwig Manschinger, paintings and writings by and other records from Greta's sister Mela Hartwig and her husband Robert Spira, audio recordings, scores, and sheet music, as well as audio recordings of performances.
Extent:
15.72 cubic ft.
Language:
English , German , German , Czech .
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Greta Hartwig Manschinger and Kurt Manschinger (Ashley Vernon) Papers, 1896-1986. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Manschinger Papers).

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection contains biographical materials, correspondence and a significant amount of artistic output (manuscripts, opera librettos, songs, short stories, novels, sketches, sheet music, scores, audio recordins, and related critical reviews) from Greta Hartwig and Kurt Manschinger. The collection also contains original scholarly and artistic works by Greta's sister, Mela Hartwig Spira, and her father, Theodor Hartiwig, and materials related to Mela's husband, Robert Spira.

Biographical / Historical:

Greta Hartwig was born on April 19, 1899 in Vienna, at the time the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. She was the daughter of Theodor Hartwig (born Theodor Herzl, later changed to differentiate himself from the famous Zionist), a noted German philosopher and advocate for free-thinking, and younger sister to Mela Hartwig, a well-known artist and author. Raised in a musical family, Greta was attracted to all forms of performing arts, her wide range of talents leading her to create the "One Woman Shows" that she became known for.

Dr. Kurt Manschinger, also known by the nom de plume Ashley Vernon, was born in 1902 in a Viennese suburb. A precocious youth with a talent for music, Kurt was schooled by the famous Austrian composer Anton von Webern during his teenage years. Eventually, Kurt would receive his doctorate in musicology from the University of Vienna in 1926. After establishing himself as a figure in the Austrian theater scene, Kurt would meet Greta as the starring actress in one of his plays.

Fiercely critical of fascism, Greta and Kurt were forced to flee their home country of Austria after its annexation by Nazi Germany in March 1938. First, the two fled to nearby Prague, where an inability to perform led to Greta's first foray into a writing career. Later, when the Hitler regime completed its annexation of Czechoslovakia, Greta and Kurt were forced to relocate to London in May 1939 where they helped found the anti-fascist literary cabaret "The Lantern", which hosted many of their fellow emigres who were fled the ever-rising violence of the Third Reich. The next year, the two would relocate for the final time, this time to New York City, and begin to re-establish themselves as mainstays in their respective artistic endeavors.

It was in America that the two found the most critical and commercial acclaim, with Greta successfully tutoring several students into prominent roles in film, stage, and television, while Kurt began to write operas. The most famous of these, "The Barber of New York", quickly became a critical and commercial success, being nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1954. In appreciation of their newfound home, both Greta and Kurt would become naturalized American citizens in April 1946.

Kurt died at home in 1968 while performing at his piano for a group of friends. Greta, never fully recovered from the loss of her husband, and passed away in April 1971 on vacation in Florida. Mela Hartwig Spira died in London in 1967, her husband Robert following just days later.

Acquisition information:
The majority of items in this manuscript group were donated to the University Libraries, M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, by Wilbur S. Broms, executor for the estates of Greta Hartwig Manschinger and Kurt Manschinger on 1983 March 13 . Additional materials were added to the collection by Wilbur Broms in the later 1980s and by Martin Broms, son of Wilbur Broms on 2006 April 6 .
Processing information:

Collection arranged and described by Johann Poehlmann, 2022 August.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into three series and all are arranged alphabetically.

Physical location:
The materials are located onsite in the department.

Contents


Access

Using These Materials

ACCESS:
The archives are open to the public and anyone is welcome to visit and view the collections.
RESTRICTIONS:

Access to this collection is unrestricted.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The rights to the published works of Greta Hartwig Manschinger, Kurt Manschinger (Ashley Vernon), or Mela Hartwig are held according to applicable copyright laws.

The rights to any unpublished or other works of Greta Hartwig Manschinger or Mela Hartwig are held by the University Libraries of the University at Albany. Permission to perform any of Greta Hartwig Manschinger's musical works must be obtained from the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives.

The rights to any unpublished works of Kurt Manschinger (Ashley Vernon) are held by the Austrian National Library. This library must be contacted for permission to publish materials of Kurt Manschinger (Ashley Veronon) at Josefsplatz 1/Postfach 25/1015 Vienna/Tel: +43 1 534 10/Email: onb@onb.ac.at/https://www.onb.ac.at/en/

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, Greta Hartwig Manschinger and Kurt Manschinger (Ashley Vernon) Papers, 1896-1986. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York (hereafter referred to as the Manschinger Papers).

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