Chicago Miniature Opera Company collection of visual materials, ca. 1936-1949.

  • Collection ID 1983.0297
  • Creator Names Chicago Miniature Opera Company.
  • Title Chicago Miniature Opera Company collection of visual materials [graphic].
  • Dates ca. 1936-1949.
  • Physical description
    • 1 album (ca. 87 photographic prints) : b&w ; 8 x 10.in. and smaller.
    • 80 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. and smaller.
    • 16 transparencies : col. ; 8 x 10 in.
    • 16 rolls of moving image film : cellulose nitrate ; 35 mm.
    • ca. 50 strips of moving image film : cellulose nitrate ; 35 mm.
  • Access and usage restrictions
    • Advance appointment required to view color material in cold storage or negatives in cool storage; please email research@chicagohistory.org.
    • In order to view an original videotape or motion picture film, a research copy must be made. Nitrate film closed pending digitization.
  • Collection summary Collection of photographs, transparencies, and moving image film pertaining to the Chicago Miniature Opera Company. Founded by Ernest Wolff, the company was also known as the Tivoli Grand Opera in the 1940s. Images are of puppet opera productions and behind-the-scenes activities.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Ernest Wolff's Chicago Miniature Opera Theater performed at Frederic Chramer's Kungsholm Restaurant in the former McCormick mansion on Ontario Street at Rush Street in Chicago. Both the restaurant and the theater closed in 1971.
  • Acquisition information Gift of Mrs. Ernest Wolff (1981.0001; G.1983.0297).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the library's file named "Miscellaneous pamphlets, programs, and menus concerning the Kungsholm Restaurant and its miniature grand opera theater, ca. 1942-1966?"; and the Chicago Miniature Opera Company records [manuscript]; plus two photograph files: the Hedrich-Blessing job file HB-15100; and the Image File, Topical folder on "Entertainment--Theatrical productions--Operas & operettas (Illinois--Chicago) Chicago Miniature Opera Company." The artifact collection of Chicago History Museum also includes items related to the miniature opera company (1981.0001; 1980.0029).
  • Names
    • Wolff, Ernest P.
    • Wolff, E. T.
    • Chicago Miniature Opera Company.
    • Kungsholm Restaurant (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Kungsholm Miniature Grand Opera (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Tivoli Grand Opera (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Wolff, Ernest P.
  • Subjects
    • Opera & operettas Illinois Chicago 1930-1949. lctgm
    • Puppet plays Illinois Chicago 1930-1949.
    • Puppet shows Illinois Chicago 1930-1949. lctgm
    • Restaurants Illinois Chicago 1930-1949.
  • Geographic coverage Chicago (Ill.) Social life and customs 1930-1949.
  • Genre
    • Motion pictures.
    • Cellulose nitrate film. gmgpc
    • Film transparencies Color. gmgpc
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc
    • Photographic prints. gmgpc