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Alfredo Barili Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 1967-0601M

Scope and Contents

This collection includes letters, musical scores, publicity, and photographs of a well-known Atlanta musical family, collected by the eldest daughter, Louise. Her great aunt Adelina Patti's numerous letters and photographs appear here also. Photographs and genealogy of Mrs. Barili's Vezin and Hasenclever relatives are in Series Three and Five.

Dates

  • 1836-1959
  • Majority of material found in 1890-1919

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Alfredo Barili was born in Italy in 1854, the son and grandson of musicians, and reared in New York near his grandmother Catalina Patti. He made his musical debut at eight and studied in the United States, France, and Germany, where he met his future wife, Emily Vezin, also a musician. They married in 1877 and soon moved to Atlanta to escape the effect of the harsh Northern winters on Alfredo's health.

Initially they were employed by the Atlanta Female Institute (ca. 1880), then the Washington Seminary, and finally they opened the Barili School of Music in their home. Alfredo, his wife, and daughter Louise Barili (b. 1880) all taught music. Alfredo composed, the "Cradle Song" being the most famous of his pieces; organized musical groups, such as the Polyhymnia Club, a women's chorus; and directed visiting orchestras.;The Barilis had two other children, Viola (b. 1882), a mime and elocutionist, and Alfredo II (b. 1887), an architect. In their later years the Barilis lived in Midtown on West Fifth Street and, beginning in 1909, at 167 Myrtle Avenue. Mr. Barili was killed by a bus in 1935.

Alfredo Barili's father was Ettore Barili, an elder half brother of Adelina Patti (1843-1919), the opera singer, who lived near him when she was young and helped care for the infant Alfredo. Despite her many close relatives, Ms. Patti remained close to Alfredo's family and had them to stay with her at her Welsh castle, Craig-Y-Nos, several times in the early 20th century.;Emily Vezin (1856-1940) was born in Philadelphia to Charles and Lina K. Vezin, German musicians. Charles was the American consul to Germany. Emily's brothers, Charles and Frederick, became artists, and some of their work and letters are in the collection. The Vezins left behind many relatives in Germany, particularly Charles' sister Louise's family, the Hasenclevers.

Extent

5.75 Cubic Feet : 95 folders and 10 volumes. 1116 items, 1759 pieces: 508 original loose papers, 1035 pieces; 349 printed items, 459 pieces; 259 graphics, 265 pieces.

Language of Materials

English

Italian

German

Arrangement

Organized into five series: I. Printed and Other Materials, II. Letters, III. Photographs, IV. Scrapbooks, and V. Hasenclever Family Books.

Other Finding Aids

Unpublished inventory available.

Title
Alfredo Barili Family Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Georgia Archives Manuscript Collections Repository

Contact:
5800 Jonesboro Rd
Morrow GA 30260 United States