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Valeria Vlazinskaya Mjolsness papers, 1922-2018
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Vlazinskaya, Valeria
- Title
- Valeria Vlazinskaya Mjolsness papers
- Dates
- 1922-2018 (inclusive)19222018
- Quantity
- 3.42 cubic feet (3 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 6208 (Accession No. 6208-001)
- Summary
- Russian literature, personal documents, correspondence, photographs and photograph albums, news clippings, and ephemera of a musician, writer, and singer who lived in China, Canada, and Washington State
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on access.
- Languages
- Russian , English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Valeria Vlazinskaya Mjolsness was a musician, writer, and singer. She was born on July 14, 1922, in Harbin, northern China. Valeria moved with her parents to Mukden, China in 1939 when Valeria was 17. The family weathered World War II and Japanese occupation of China, enduring tough conditions and meager supplies. In due course, the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation (UNRRA) office opened, bringing post-war assistance and medical personnel (and a husband-to-be) to western China. In June, 1947, Valeria, who was working as a secretary in the UNRRA office, met Norwegian/Canadian Verdine Mjolsness, who had been a conscientious objector working in China during the war, and who was now working for UNRRA as a Superintendent of Agricultural Machinery. Verdine and Valeria were engaged just four months later, and married in Shanghai on February 8, 1948. A year later, Valeria and her parents moved with Verdine to Vancouver, Canada. Valeria grew up singing with her parents at home, and was encouraged by teachers at school. In her teens, she took her first private singing lessons. In Vancouver, she studied voice with an influential teacher and launched her professional career in music. Over the course of eight years in Vancouver and 38 years in Los Angeles, Valeria built a reputation as a song recitalist, voice coach, translator, and recording artist. A specialist in Russian repertoire, Valeria appeared in numerous solo recitals, instrumental ensembles and radio broadcasts. In addition to being an accomplished artist, Valeria wrote many translations of songs, arias and operas, and classical album liner annotation for Capital Records. In 1996, Valeria and Verdine moved to Bellingham, Washington to be closer to extended family. She died on January 25, 2018.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Russian literature, personal documents, correspondence, photographs and photograph albums, news clippings, and ephemera.
A donor-provided inventory list is available upon request.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box | ||
1 | Russian magazines (approximately 1950s-1960s), photographs, photograph slides, correspondence, news clippings, ephemera, and notebooks | approximately 1940s-2000s |
2 | Correspondence, personal documents, photographs, ephemera, and news clippings | approximately 1940s-2000s |
3 | Photographs and photograph albums | approximately 1922-2018 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Vlazinskaya, Valeria--Archives
Corporate Names
- United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration