Lauris Elms aggregated collection of papers

fonds

1922-2007

Textual Records, Notated Music, Ephemera

9661042

1.71 metres of textual material (8 boxes and 2 outsize boxes)

Lauris Elms, contralto singer, was born in Melbourne in 1931. She grew up as a violinist, took singing lessons from Katherine Wielaert and sang folk-songs and ballads with an ABC radio program and the National Theatre Movement Opera Co.
After appearing as a guest in a Covent Garden regional tour in 1957, Lauris Elms was invited to join the company, and she sang mezzo-soprano roles in Elektra, The Trojans, Tales of Hoffmann, and the Dialogue of the Carmelites.
She returned to Australia in 1959 and appeared frequently with the Australian Opera and in lieder recitals, before retiring in 1994.
Lauris was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1974, and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1982.

Originally donated to the Dennis Wolanski Library of the Performing Arts, Sydney Opera House, by Lauris Elms and later transferred to the State Library of New South Wales.

COLLECTION 1:
Lauris Elms opera, music and theatre programs, ca. 1922-1982

COLLECTION 2:
Lauris Elms further papers, 1931-2007

COLLECTION 3:
Lauris Elms further papers, transcripts of The Singing Elms, 1999

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