The 2007-2008 season promises the same excellence the Coolidge Auditorium has become known for, with concerts by Allen Toussaint, Roseanne Cash and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, along with a "West Side Story" tribute from Signature Theatre of Virginia.
The history of the Library's Music Division can be traced back to the collection of 13 books on music literature and theory that were contained in Thomas Jefferson's library, which Congress purchased in 1815. Some 80 years later, the division was formally created and physically ensconced in the Jefferson Building.
Following in Elizabeth Coolidge's steps was Gertrude Clark Whittall, who provided the foundation for the Music Division's instrument collections—five Stradivari, known as the Cremonese Collection. As part of Whittall's donation, she also provided an endowment to ensure professional in-house use of these instruments, which are typically featured as part of the Stradivari Anniversary Concert. For the 2007-2008 season, the Formosa Quartet has the honor during their Dec. 14 concert.
The cellos of Stradivari are the topic of a webcast featured on the Library's webcast site. The taped lecture was part of last year's Stradivari Anniversary celebration.