Special Collections Finding Aids

Leonard Treash Papers - General

Accession: 996.1

Location: AA4 2,5-5,3

Size: 48 feet

Biography: Leonard Treash (1909-1996) was educated at the Cincinnati Conservatory and at Curtis Institute. He quickly enjoyed success in both operatic roles with the Cincinnati Zoo Opera Company and solo engagements with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Fritz Reiner and Leopold Stokowski. Treash was one of the founders and first presidents of the National Opera Association and also served on the board of the Central Opera service. In 1953 he founded Opera Under the Stars, a summer open-air opera series in Rochester, New York. He was Head of the Opera Department at the Eastman School of Music for over 25 years, from 1947 through 1976, and for many years served as artistic director of the Chautauqua Opera Association. During his career an opera director, Treash produced over 80 operas, many of which were world premieres. His production of Howard Hanson's Merry Mount was second only to that of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Treash was also active as a guest stage director for many American opera companies, among them the Sarasota Opera company and the Columbus Opera company. Treash and his first wife, Martha Treash, were advocates of opera productions in English, and translated many operas themselves. Leonard Treash died in Florida in 1996.

Provenance: The collection consists of papers compiled by Leonard Treash during the course of his professional career, both as a private concert artist and teacher, and as the director of opera at the Eastman School of Music. The collection was given by Treash to the Eastman School of Music Archives in 1995.

Scope and Content: Bulk of contents is scores and production notes relating to Treash's productions as director of opera at the Eastman School of Music, as well as materials relating to his work with other companies, especially Chautauqua.. It also includes a small amount of material relating to Treash's personal career as a concert artist.

Associations: The Eastman School of Music Archives possesses other collections relating to the careers of Eastman School faculty, notably the Jan DeGaetani, collections of vocal solo and vocal chamber music. The Sibley Library's Rare Books collection is particularly rich in19th century editions of opera scores, The Iconography Database is an easily searchable source for photographs of opera productions.

Restrictions: None.

Series: 1

Series Name: General

Series Description: The materials in this series relate to operatic and staged music productions directed by Leonard Treash during his career as opera director at the Eastman School of Music. Although most items are associated with performances produced at the Eastman School, materials from other productions are also included, since it was often impossible to distinguish where a given production took place. The types of materials include scores, librettos, stage diagrams, prop lists, costume descriptions, scene sketches, rehearsal notes, and cast lists. Not all materials are available for each production. The materials are arranged alphabetically by composer.