New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

05/31/2026

Soprano Frances Alda, born on this day in 1879, was known for her singing voice, and she frequently collaborated with the tenor Enrico Caruso at the Metropolitan Opera. She was also one of the first adopters of radio broadcast when it arrived to disrupt the performing arts. She left the Met to perform on radio regularly.

A 1930 New York Times article quoted Alda, "I am merely embracing a new medium of expression that brings far greater reward to the heart and to the purse, and entertainment to a far greater audience."

When asked how often she intended to broadcast, Alda laughed, "As often as they're willing to pay me."

Check out more photos of Alda in archive: https://on.nypl.org/4f9LN0K

📷: Frances Alda as Yaroslavna in Prince Igor, photo by Mishkin Studio, 1916-1917.

05/30/2026

On 6/4, experience the legacy and evolution of Latin Hustle through an evening of storytelling, archival footage, conversation, and live dance excerpts. Back in 2024, Maria Torres led a dance residency with the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, collecting and preserving the movements and stories behind Latin Hustle. In this program, directed by Maria Torres, intergenerational artists, and other guests share material developed during the residency alongside reflections on the cultural roots, history, and continued evolution of the form. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-legacy-of-latin-hustle-tickets-1978901809583

05/30/2026

The Golden Age of magic is preserved at the Library. 🪄

The Library for the Performing Arts has one of the largest public library collections of posters from the Golden Age of magic. Forty-eight of these posters are currently on view in the exhibition "Mystery & Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City," and the conservation team used their expertise to preserve and restore these colorful pieces of magic history to their original glory to make them ready for display. Annemarie van Roessel, who curated the exhibition, and Denise Stockman spoke about the selection and conservation process.

Want to learn more? See the exhibition at the Library, and join us on June 2 for a special event on collecting and conserving the posters.

Sign up through our bio link.

05/29/2026

Happy birthday to Gary Burghoff, born on this day in 1943! In addition to playing Radar in the M*A*S*H film and TV series, Burghoff originated the role of Charlie Brown in the 1967 Off-Broadway musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

New York City Center recently announced it's bringing "Charlie Brown" back to the stage in its 2027 Encores! series in February.

📷: Gary Burghoff in the stage production You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

05/28/2026

Escape artist and magician Thomas Solomon visited our exhibition on the golden age of magic, and gave us some context around the 1909 photo of the Society of American Magicians that's on display. Solomon, as a working magician and performer, has long been a part of S.A.M.

Check out "Mystery and Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City" at the Library for the Performing Arts through July 11.

05/27/2026

Jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, who passed away at age 95, was one of the most highly-regarded improvisors in the history of the music. Rollins' archive is preserved by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library.

Click to learn more about accessing the collection: https://on.nypl.org/4wXSQA8

05/27/2026

Tonight! The Library for the Performing Arts is partnering with the Miles Davis estate to celebrate his centennial birthday month with an evening devoted to the man, the music, and his iconic autobiography, "Miles."
Presented in collaboration with Simon & Schuster as they publish the new centennial edition of "Miles: The Autobiography," music historian Ashley Kahn, Miles’ son Erin Davis, and nephew Vince Wilburn Jr. join us for an intimate conversation about Davis’ life and lasting influence.

Join us for an evening celebrating Miles Davis, with Ashley Kahn, Erin Davis, and Vince Wilburn Jr. for an intimate conversation.

05/26/2026

“If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it.” —Isadora Duncan, born on this day in 1877.

Check out more amazing photos like this one in the Library for the Performing Arts' archive! https://on.nypl.org/4dAKmG7

📷: Isadora Duncan and her pupils: Irma, Lisa and Margot in Thebes, Greece, 1920. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.

05/25/2026

Take a free tour of our exhibition on magic, Mystery and Wonder: A Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York City. There's a tour coming up on 5/27. Sign up: https://bit.ly/49hQ5PP

05/25/2026

The 1975 original Broadway cast album of Kander and Ebb's Chicago was recently inducted into the National Recording Registry... and all that jazz! The Library of Congress program preserves recordings deemed culturally or historically significant.

Check out more images from the original Broadway production in our archive: https://on.nypl.org/3Rcx0sj

📷: Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera in the stage production Chicago, photo by Martha Swope, 1975. Billy Rose Theatre Division.