Library of Congress Acquires 5,000-Item Stephen Sondheim Archive

The Library of Congress has acquired an extensive collection of approximately 5,000 items from the late Stephen Sondheim, a legendary composer and lyricist who passed away in 2021. This archive includes manuscripts, music and lyric drafts, recordings, notebooks, scrapbooks, and personal items that reveal Sondheim's creative process and evolution of works such as "Into the Woods," "Company," "Follies," and "Sweeney Todd." The collection features drafts of songs never performed, multiple iterations of finished pieces, and unique items like a spiral music book from his college years and lyric sketches with detailed margins. Senior Music Specialist Mark Horowitz, instrumental in securing the donation, highlighted Sondheim's relentless pursuit of perfection evident in the meticulous revisions found throughout the materials. The collection, which survived a 1995 fire near Sondheim's office, will be accessible to the public starting July 1, offering researchers and theater enthusiasts a rare glimpse into the artistry of one of musical theater's greatest innovators. This acquisition underscores Sondheim's profound impact on American musical theater and preserves his legacy for future generations.