John Petri papers

Collection

Identifier: Dance-MS-Petri

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Collection

Choreographic notes, clippings, photographs, programs, and other materials documenting the career of ballet and Hungarian dancer John Petri (1892-1963). Includes materials regarding his career as a dancer with the Pavley-Oukrainsky Ballet in Chicago, which toured with the Civic Opera Company and the San Carlo Opera Company in the 1920s and 1930s. Also includes programs and photographs as well as lesson plans for the John Petri Ballet school and studio, which he established on the North Side of Chicago in around the late 1920s. Photographs are of dancers as well as opera stars of the 1920s-1940s, and many are autographed.

Dates

Creation: 1916-1975
Creation: Majority of material found within 1920-1963

Creator

Petri, John, 1892-1963 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The John Petri papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The John Petri papers are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections at reference@newberry.org.

Biography of John Petri

Hungarian American ballet and character dancer and teacher.

John Petri was born in Hungary in 1892. His early dance training took place kin Budapest, where he also started his own company. He immigrated to the United States in 1912 and toured as a soloist with the Pavley-Oukrainsky Ballet. Petri also danced with the San Carlos Opera Company, Chicago Grand Opera Company, and Chicago Civic Opera Company. In Chicago, Petri founded the John Petri dancing school and ballet company and also directed the First Chicago Hungarian Young People’s Club dance program. He retired from teaching in 1960. Petri lived with partner Paul Fred Behm (1894-1976) and died in Chicago in October 1963.

Extent

3.7 Linear Feet (4 boxes and 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Choreographic notes, clippings, photographs, programs, and other materials documenting the career of ballet and Hungarian dancer John Petri (1892-1963).