Biographical Note

May Johnson was an agent for performers involved with musical production, generally opera and concerts. Her career spanned at least three decades. She was working in Chicago in the early 1910s apparently representing artists in conjunction with the Chicago Grand Opera Company (later known as the Chicago Opera Company). In 1917-18, her office was at 50 West 67th Street, New York City. By the late 1930s she was again in Chicago, with offices at Orchestra Hall.

Scope and Content

This collection consists materials assembled by May Johnson in the course of her position as agent for various artists. The bulk of the collection concerns the careers of two of these: violinist Zlatko Balokovic (1895-1965) and soprano Eleonora De Cisneros (1874-1934). Material re Balokovic includes carbons of many of Johnson’s sometimes exasperated letters to him as well as several publicity photographs. The De Cisneros material also includes many photos and work that she die with the musical Out There production as a fund-raiser for the American Red Cross in 1918.

One of the most valuable components of the collection is the Photographs. A number of these photos date from the first season of the Chicago Grand Opera Company, 1910-14. Manuscripts of the first two general managers of this Company are also present in this collection: J. Andreas Dippel (folder 1:31) and Cleofonte Campanini (folder 1:12). Photographs are listed at the end of the Box and Folder Inventory.

Provenance

The materials in this collection were a gift of the Nashville Room, the Public Library of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, January, 1922. In 1941, May Johnson gave to The Chicago Public Library Music Department a number of items concerning the career of Eleonora De Cisneros, and these are presumed to be interfiled in the photographs, programs, and miscellany in the holdings of the Fine Arts Division of CPL.

Processed March 1992.

Access

The May Johnson Business Papers are available to the public for research in the Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room on the 9th floor of the Chicago Public Library’s Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60605. The collection does not circulate, although photocopy and photoreproduction services are available depending upon the condition of the original materials. First time patrons to Special Collections must present photo identification and complete a Reader Registration Form. Telephone inquiries on this collection and other Special Collections holdings can be directed to 312-747-4875.

Box and Folder Inventory

BOX 1

Folders 1-10 concern Balokovic, Zlatko (1895-1965) and Joyce Borden

1. Balokovic, Joyce Borden, ALS to May Johnson, Istanbul; 1938 Apr 6
2. Balokovic, Zlatko—Program; n.d. Nov. 10
3. Johnson, May, Carbon of TL to Joyce Balokovic, Chicago; 1937 May 6
4. Johnson, May, Carbon of TL to Joyce Balokovic, Chicago; 1938 Mar 1
5. Johnson, May, Carbon of TL to Joyce Balokovic, Chicago; 1940 Feb 3
6. Johnson, May, Carbon of TL to Joyce Balokovic, [Chicago]; 1941 Feb 10
7. Johnson, May, Carbon of TL to Joyce Balokovic, [Chicago]; 1941 May 2 & 6
8. Johnson, May, Carbon of TL to Joyce Balokovic, [Chicago]; 1941 Aug 13
9. Johnson, May, Carbon of TL to Joyce Balokovic, Chicago; n.d. Oct 20
10. Johnson, May, 2 notes concerning Zlatko and Joyce Balokovic; n.d.
11. Bull, Storm—Publicity flyer; n.d.
12. Campanini, Cleofonte (1860-1919)—Two clipped signatures; 1914, n.d
13. Carpenter, John Alden (!876-1951), ALS to May Johnson;1938 May 7
14. Copley, Richard, TLS to May Johnson, New York; 1937 Apr 13

Folders 15-30 concern Eleonora De Cisneros (1874-1934)

15. Advertisements, flyers, newsclips (6 items); 1912-22
16. ALS to May Johnson; 1925 Nov 8
17. Flyer for concert "The Big Three"—Chicago; n.d.
18. Italy America Celebration Day—Program & flyer; 1920 May
19. Johnson, May, Carbon of TLS to Chicago Public Library; 1941 Oct 20
20. McCormick, Edith Rockefeller (1872-1932), ALS to Eleonora De Cisneros, Chicago; 1912 Feb 18
21. Paderewska, Helene, ALS to Eleonora De Cisneros; n.d.
22. Photo album (4 photos) presented by Charles F. Tummis (?); 1918 Jan 1
23. Program for lecture by Mme. Clemenceau-Jacquemaire; 1919 Dec 2
24. Red Cross—Certificate; n.d.
25. Red Cross--Cloth banner
26. Red Cross--"Out There"—Program, New York; 1918 May 16
27. Red Cross--"Out There"—Program, Chicago; 1918 May 24-25
28. Souvenir of James K. Hatchett’s Shakespearing Performances. . .; [1922?]
29. Transcript of birth record; 1918 Jun 10
30. "Twelve artistic photographic studies of Eleonora De Cisneros"
31. Dippel, J. Andreas (1866-1932), TLS to May Johnson, New York; 1914 Apr 6
32. Hofmann, Josef (1876-1957)—Programs; 1937, n.d.
33. Johnson, May—Blank stationery
34. Julliard, Frederic A. ( -1937)—Clipped signature
35. Miscellaneous—Souvenir program, Parade of 27th Division; 1919 Mar 25
36. Ormandy, Eugene & Steffy—Christmas card (unsigned); n.d.

Folders 37-40 concern Rosa Raisa
37. Christmas card; n.d.
38. Concert program (Chicago Park District); 1938 July 1
39. Contracts; 1937
40. Newsclippings

PHOTOGRAPHS

1.1 Arthur, Julia. Inscribed "Julia Arthur Cheney," 1917
1.2 Arthur, Julia. In uniform for Out There. Inscribed to May Johnson, 1918
1.3 Balokovic, Zlatko (1895-1965). Inscribed to May Johnson
1.4 Balokovic, Zlatko. Autographed.
1.5 Balokovic, Zlatko. With John Alden Carpenter and Frederick Stock, viewing score of Carpenter’s violin concerto which Balokovic premiered November 18, 1937.
1.6 Balokovic, Zlatko. With John Alden Carpenter and Arthur Rodzinski, Cleveland Orchestra, February 26, 1938.
1.7 Balokovic, Zlatko. With several others, Boston Symphony Concert, March 4, [1938?]
1.8 Balokovic, Zlatko. With John Alden Carpenter and Otto Klemperer.
1.9 Bassi, Amadeo (1876-1949). Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.10 Bassi, Amadeo. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.11 Bispham, David Scull (1857-1921)
1.12 Costa, Alfredo (1874- ). Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.13 Dalmores, Charles (1871-1939). As Faust, 1912. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.14 Dalmores, Charles. In costume. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.15 Dalmores, Charles. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.16 Dalmores, Charles. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.17 De Cisneros, Eleonora (1874-1934). In costume. Autographed.
1.18 De Cisneros, Eleonora.
1.19 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume. Corner missing.
1.20 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume.
1.21 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume.
1.22 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume.
1.23 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume. Photo signed by Matzene Studio.
1.24 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume as Carmen.
1.25 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume as Herodiade. Photo signed by Matzene Studio.
1.26 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume as Herodiade. Autographed.
1.27 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume with flag.
1.28 De Cisneros, Eleonora. In costume. Inscribed to Loulie M. without signature.
1.29 Giaconia, Giuseppina. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.30 Guardabassi, Mario. Photo postcard. Printed signature, 1908. Inscribed to May Johnson, 1914. With Guardabassi’s note on verso.
1.31 Painter, Eleanor (1886-1947). In costume. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.32 Roebeling [?], Robert. Inscribed to May Johnson, 1914.
1.33 Scott, Henri (1876-1942). Inscribed to May Johnson, 1914.
1.34 Scott, Henri. In costume. Inscribed to May Johnson, 1914.
1.35 Sylva, Marguerite (1875-1957). Photo signed by Moffett Studio. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.36 White, Caroline (1886-1961). In costume, 1914.
1.37 Zeppilli, Alice (1885- ). In costume. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.38 Illegible signature. In costume. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.39 Illegible signature. Inscribed to May Johnson.
1.40 Illegible signature. Inscribed to May Johnson, 1914
1.41 Unidentified.