The bulk of this collection consists of materials pertaining to Queenie Pie, a comic opera in seven scenes. Also included are publicity, correspondence for the opera, Ellington's autobiography Music is My Mistress, and a script for the Ellington work, My People.
Arrangement:
The collection is divided into four series.
Series 1: Queenie Pie
Series 2: Correspondence
Series 3: Photographs
Series 4: Music is My Mistress
Biographical / Historical:
Betty McGettigan met Duke Ellington while coordinating a benefit concert for the California Youth Symphony, circa 1969. Shortly thereafter, she began working with him as a writer/secretary, especially on the opera Queenie Pie.
Provenance:
Collection purchased from Betty McGettigan, July 26, 1993.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Citation:
The Betty McGettigan Collection of Duke Ellington Memorabilia, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
