Annals of Music in America Part 4

Perhaps the development of opera may be considered of greater interest than other musical items. In 1825 Manuel Garcia arrived in New York, and gave the first performances of Italian opera. In his company were his daughter Maria, who married one Malibran and remained in New York for about two years. At the end of this time she left her husband and returned to Europe, where she had a short but very brilliant career.

Young Garcia, the son, who also sang, afterwards became one of the greatest singing teachers in Europe, and invented the laryngoscope.

Pauline, who became Madame Viardot, and lived to a great age, was too young to partic.i.p.ate in Garcia's performances in New York. For many years she was one of the great singing teachers in Paris.

Garcia did not stay very long in New York, but he began the efforts to present Italian opera, which were continued by many others from time to time, usually with disaster. Nevertheless, the history of the period from 1825 to 1850 is full of first performances of Italian opera. In 1848 the Havana Company visited the United States, and was considered the finest company that had been heard until that time.

In the same year Max Maretzek appeared in New York and at once entered the operatic field, with which he was prominently occupied during the next period.

Before finishing the review of this period we must not forget the production William Henry Fry's opera, "Leonora." This was the first grand opera written and produced by an American. It had several representations, but does not seem to have lived long. The same, however, may be said of many of the Italian operas which were presented during this and later periods. A careful perusal of the list will show the names of operas long since defunct, so far as the American public is concerned. Yet there are many, which were first presented to the American public in this period, and which are as popular today as ever,--in fact no good opera company can afford to be without them.

Opera was well started by 1850.

1825. Mar. 12. Weber's opera "Der Freyschutz" presented in English at the Park Theatre, New York City, with Miss Kelly and Mrs. de Luce in the leading parts.

1825. Nov. 26. First season of Italian grand opera in America opened in New York city with a performance of Rossini's "Il Barbiere," by Manuel Garcia's company.

This company included Manuel Garcia, his son Manuel (later a renowned vocal teacher, and inventor of the laryngoscope), his daughter, Maria Felicite (the great Malibran), his daughter Pauline (later Madame Viardot, one of the great vocal teachers of Paris) and others of less note.

The other operas presented during this season were:

1825. Dec. 31. "Tancredi," Rossini.

1826. April 25. "Semiramide," Rossini.

1826. May 23. "Don Giovanni," Mozart.

1826. Dec. 27. "L'Amante Astuto," Garcia.

Also (dates uncertain): "La Figlia del Aria," Garcia.

"Il Turco in Italia," Rossini.

"La Cenerentola," Rossini.

1826-1864. Stephen Foster. Noted song writer.

1827. July 13. The French Opera Company from New Orleans, which visited Philadelphia, and several other cities, opened a season at the Park Theatre, New York City, with Rossini's "La Cenerentola." They also presented "Jean de Paris," "La Dame Blanche," "Joconde," "Les Visilandines," etc.

1827. Sept. 28. Boieldieu's opera "Jean de Paris" presented in New York City, with Malibran. Later in the season the same composer's "Caliph of Bagdad" was given.

1827. Oct. 9. Weber's opera "Oberon" presented in Philadelphia.

1827. Oct. 9. Farewell of Madame Malibran (Maria Felicite Garcia) at the Bowery Theatre, after two years' residence in New York City.

1828. An English version of "Il Barbiere di Seviglia," and "Der Freyschutz" given in Boston with Miss George, Mrs. Papanti, Mr.

Comer, and Mr. Horn as leading singers.

1829. Sept. First musical convention held under the auspices of the Central Musical Society of Concord, N. H.

1829. May 8.-1869. Dec. 18. Louis Moreau Gottschalk, brilliant pianist. Born in New Orleans.

1829. Jan. 24.-1908. July 14. William Mason, noted American pianist and teacher.

1831. Sept. 6. American debut of Miss Hughes at the Park Theatre, New York City, in "The Marriage of Figaro."

1832. Mar. 17. Mozart's opera "Die Zauberflote" presented in Philadelphia.

1832. July 4. The National Hymn "America" first sung in public at a children's celebration of Independence Day, at the Park St.

Church, Boston, The words were written in February by the Rev.

Samuel F. Smith, and were sung to the tune of "G.o.d Save the King."

1832. Sept. 25. First appearance, in concert, of an Italian opera company organized by Lorenzo da Ponte, Italian poet and librettist, at Niblo's Garden, New York City. The leading singers were Signora Pedrotti and Signori Fornisari and Montresor. The opera performances were given at the Bowery Theatre. Sig. Rapetti, conductor.

1832. Oct. 19. Mercadante's opera "Elisa e Claudio" presented in New York City with Pedrotti (debut) and Salvione (debut).

1832. Nov. 5. Rossini's opera "L'Italiana in Algeri" given in New York City with Verducci, Fanetti, Fornisari, etc.

1832. Dec. 5. Bellini's opera "Il Pirata" by same company.

1832. Dec. 22. Rossini's sacred opera "Mose in Egitto" by same company.

1833. Mar. 13-20. Rossini's opera "Oth.e.l.lo" presented twice during this week, in New York City, by same company.

1833. June 20. Auber's opera "Fra Diavolo" presented at the Park Theatre, New York City.

1833. Sept. 4. American debut of Mr. and Mrs. Wood in "Cinderella"

at the Park Theatre, New York City.

1833. Nov. 18. Verdi's opera "La Gazza Ladra" given in New York City, at the Bowery Theatre, by the Italian Opera Company.

1833. Academy of Music founded in Boston by Lowell Mason. Enrolled twenty-two hundred pupils the first year.

1834. Mar. 21. Rossini's opera "La Donna del Lago" given at the Bowery Theatre, New York City, with Clotilde and Rosina Fanti, Marozo, Raviglia and Sapignoli.

1834. Mar. 22. Salvioni's opera "La Casa dei Vendere."

1834. Mar. 24. Rossini's "Matilda de Shabran" with Fanti.

1834. April 7. Meyerbeer's opera "Roberto il Diavolo," presented in English at the Park Theatre, New York City, by Mr. and Mrs.

Wood.

1834. July 9. First music school in Chicago opened by Miss Wyeth.

1834. July 12. Pacini's opera "Gli Arabi nelli Gallie" given at the Bowery Theatre, New York City, with C. Fanti, R. Fanti, Bordogni, Raviglia, Sapignoli.

1834. Nov. 10 Bellini's opera "La Straniera" given in New York City, with C. and R. Fanti, Porto, Montresor, Sapignoli.

1834. Nov. 25. Rossini's opera "Edoardo e Cristina" given in New York City, with Fanti, Fabj, Porto, Sapignoli.

1834. Dec. 12. Rossini's opera "L'Inganno Felice" given in New York City by the Italian Opera Company.

1834. Dec. 11. "Old Settlers' Harmonic Society" organized in Chicago.

1834-1901. Charles R. Adams, noted tenor and vocal teacher. One of the first American singers to make a career in Europe.

1834-1891. Eben Tourjee, noted organizer of musical affairs. Began cla.s.s-system of pianoforte-teaching in America at Providence, R.

I., in 1851. Founded a Musical Inst.i.tute at East Greenwich, R.