Correspondence: Porgy and Bess , 1952 January - August

Correspondence and Other Materials series dates from 1948 through the 1990s and encompass 3.5 linear feet of documents and ephemera. This series documents Larney Goodkind’s communication as William Warfield’s literary agent concerning performances, touring and recordings, with some letters written while Warfield toured internationally. The letters are mostly professional in nature, related to the performances and itinerary of William Warfield; the bulk of the materials are of correspondence written to Larry Goodkind, with a small amount directed to Warfield. File units are arranged in general alphabetical order by materials format or topic. Correspondence is first arranged chronologically within the series, then in general alphabetical order by topic.

Early correspondence mostly includes letters regarding MGM productions and the play Show Boat following Warfield’s Australian tour. Included with some letters are contracts regarding negotiations of Warfield’s performance fees. Items of note include correspondence and forwarded concert reviews for William Warfield’s 1956 European tour and 1958 Asian tour coordinated by the United States Foreign Service. Also of note within the correspondence files are letters regarding William Warfield’s tour in Sydney, Australia in which Goodkind negotiated with the Australian Broadcasting Commission on Warfield’s behalf for a 10-week tour season. The tour commenced on June 24, 1950. Discussion includes taxation of United States' concert artists visiting Australia, wage compensation and possible extension of the tour after arrival in Sydney, Australia.

The “Fan mail” correspondence encompasses expressions of gratitude, thanking Warfield for his phenomenal performances. Some letters contain requests for an autographed photograph and his presence for singing gigs. Of note is a letter from Mercedes Bennett of the Music Chapter of the Committee for the Negro in the Arts. This correspondence is addressed to Goodkind and specifically invited Warfield to sing at Dr. William Edward Burghardt DuBois’ testimonial dinner on his 83rd birthday at Essex House on February 23, 1951. The letter is dated February 6, 1951.

Also, of interest within the “Fan mail” correspondence is a letter dated February 2, 1951 addressed to Warfield c/o Goodkind, thanking Warfield for his memorable performance at Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 69th Birthday Memorial on January 30, 1951. Other correspondence contains praises of gratitude to Warfield for his musicianship.

As Warfield’s personal manager and literary agent, Goodkind sent letters concerning the possibilities of having Warfield appear in concert performances, including correspondence addressed to international opera companies, theaters and booking managers. “Inquiries” correspondence includes Larney Goodkind’s requests to concert managers where he suggested their interests in having Warfield appear as soloist, performing at various orchestras and venues. Of note is a letter, dated November 22, 1948, addressed to Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. of New York. In this document, Goodkind expressed how much people of Powell’s congregation would be happy to know about and hear such a “highly talented, promising member of their race,” predicting that Warfield will one day be one of America’s leading singers. Other letters include Warfield’s interest in auditioning for the New York City Opera Company.

“Composer” correspondence files consist of letters from American and international composers Sam Raphling, John Carter, Willard Straight, Clarence Cameron White and John Duke. Letters include discussion of requests for a number of songs for the consideration of William Warfield to sing for his concert engagements and performances.

“Bennett and Pleasant” correspondence, dated 1950-1954, highlights letters from Warfield’s publicists, Isadora Bennett and Richard Pleasant. The letters are mainly addressed to Goodkind. Discussion includes letters to Bennett and Pleasant regarding regular press presentation for Warfield.

The correspondence section concludes with letters regarding Warfield’s schedule and theater performances.

Main correspondents include Allan Bass, David Blum, Smith Dawless, Harry Emerson, John LaFarge, Johnny Green, Hubert Humphrey, Eugene Istomin, Martin Luther King, Jr., William Kolodny, Arthur Lubin, Andre Mertens, E.F. O’Connor, Richard Pleasant, Leontyne Price, Joachim Prinz, Martin R. Rice, Eleanor Roosevelt, Carl T. Rowan, Dore Schary, Henry Souvaine, Ed Sullivan, Orrin Clayton Suthern II, Nelly Walter, William Warfield, Harry Watts, Roy Wilkins, Charles Wolcott and Walker Wyatt.

Other materials encompass an array of files. Files are arranged alphabetically by materials format or topic and include materials collected by Goodkind. The bulk of other materials contain items related to William Warfield’s musical career. Warfield’s biographical sketch is also located in this group of materials. Of note is a file on Warfield’s s 25th anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall in 1975.

The series concludes with materials on William Warfield’s Scholarship Fund, Inc., including a photocopy of a proclamation presented to Warfield from Thomas P. Ryan, the mayor of Rochester, New York.