It was finally agreed that the author should supply the record for the period intervening between the appearance of the first edition of "Chapters of Opera" and the present publication by revised excerpts from the annual summaries of the activities of the seasons in question published by him in the New York Tribune, of which newspaper he has had the honor of being the musical critic for thirty years past. For the privilege of using this material the author is deeply beholden to the Tribune Association and the editor, Hart Lyman, Esq. The record may be found in the Appendices after the last chapter.
H. E. KREHBIEL.
Blue Hill, Maine, Summer of 1911.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION OF OPERA IN NEW YORK
The Introduction of Italian Opera in New York
English Ballad Operas and Adaptations from French and Italian Works
Hallam's Comedians and "The Beggar's Opera"
The John Street Theater and Its Early Successors
Italian Opera's First Home
Manuel Garcia
The New Park Theater and Some of Its Rivals
Malibran and English Opera
The Bowery Theater, Richmond Hill, Niblo's and Castle Gardens
CHAPTER II
EARLY THEATERS, MANAGERS, AND SINGERS
Of the Building of Opera Houses
A Study of Influences
The First Italian Opera House in New York
Early Impresarios and Singers
Da Ponte, Montressor, Rivafinoli
Signorina Pedrotti and Fornasari
Why Do Men Become Opera-Managers?
Addison and Italian Opera
The Vernacular Triumphant
CHAPTER III
THE FIRST ITALIAN COMPANY
Manuel del Popolo Vicente Garcia
"Il Barbiere di Siviglia"
Signorina Maria Garcia's Unfortunate Marriage
Lorenzo da Ponte
His Hebraic Origin and Checkered Career
"Don Giovanni"
An Appeal in Behalf of Italian Opera
CHAPTER IV
HOUSES BUILT FOR OPERA
More Opera Houses
Palmo's and the Astor Place
Signora Borghese and the Distressful Vocal Wabble
Antognini and Cinti-Damoreau
An Orchestral Strike
Advent of the Patti Family
Don Francesco Marty y Torrens and His Havanese Company
Opera Gowns Fifty Years Ago
Edward and William Henry Fry
Horace Greeley and His Musical Critic
James H. Hackett and William Niblo
Tragic Consequences of Canine Interference
Goethe and a Poodle
A Dog-Show and the Astor Place Opera House
CHAPTER V
MARETZEK, HIS RIVALS AND SINGERS
Max Maretzek
His Managerial Career
Some Anecdotes
"Crotchets and Quavers"
His Rivals and Some of His Singers
Bernard Ullmann
Marty Again
Bottesini and Arditi
Steffanone
Bosio
Tedesco
Salvi
Bettini
Badiali
Marini
CHAPTER VI
THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Operatic Warfare Half a Century Ago
The Academy of Music and Its Misfortunes
A Critic's Opera and His Ideals
A Roster of American Singers
Grisi and Mario
Annie Louise Cary
Ole Bull as Manager
Piccolomini and Réclame
Adelina Patti's Début and an Anniversary Dinner Twenty-five
Years Later
A Kiss for Maretzek
CHAPTER VII
MAPLESON AND OTHER IMPRESARIOS
Colonel James H. Mapleson
A Diplomatic Manager
His Persuasiveness
How He Borrowed Money from an Irate Creditor
Maurice Strakosch
Musical Managers
Pollini
Sofia Scalchi and Annie Louise Cary Again
Campanini and His Beautiful Attack
Brignoli
His Appetite and Superstition
CHAPTER VIII
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE
The Academy's Successful Rival
Why It Was Built
The Demands of Fashion
Description of the Theater
War between the Metropolitan and the Academy of Music
Mapleson and Abbey
The Rival Forces
Patti and Nilsson
Gerster and Sembrich
A Costly Victory
CHAPTER IX
FIRST SEASON AT THE METROPOLITAN
The First Season at the Metropolitan Opera House
Mr. Abbey's Singers
Gounod's "Faust" and Christine Nilsson
Marcella Sembrich and Her Versatility
Sofia Scalchi
Signor Kaschmann
Signor Stagno
Ambroise Thomas's "Mignon"
Madame Fursch-Madi
Ponchielli's "La Gioconda"
CHAPTER X
OPERATIC