1886 American Opera New York Libretto Sylvia and Marriage of Jeannette

Ye Book of Ye Words Opera Libretto
American Opera 1886

Ye Book of Ye Words

(1886)

American Opera
Theodore Thomas, conductor 

Sylvia, or The Nymph of Diana.

Ballet in Two Acts and Four Tableaux by Jules Barbier and choreographer Louis Merante.

The Marriage of Jeannette.

A Comic Opera in One Act by Victor Masse.

Charles D. Koppel, Publisher, 23 Park Row, New York..

Copyright 1886 by Charles E. Locken (American Opera business manager) 

Name on front cover upper right: Miss Nettie Linter (sp?)

by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

 

Though not a Christian work, it seems appropriate to offer here a rare document from the short-lived America Opera in New York.

Theodore Thomas, conductor

Despite the poor appearance of this published work, historically it is a rare example of American music history.  The back cover is missing, the front cover loose and the paper beginning to crumble at the edges from being stored incorrectly without proper care.  Yet though this publication did not survive well, the fact that it did survive to be seen in 2013 offers us now a window into the nineteenth century.

Keeping Up Appearances?

If this had been your Book of Words instead of Miss Nettie’s in 1886, I doubt you would have given any thought at all to where it would be over 125 years later.  Yet enough may be discovered through keyword searches on the internet to acquire a decent summary of the what, why, where, when and how of its use.

Jeannette Meyers Thurber
Patron of the Arts

 The America Opera was founded in 1886 through the inspiration of Jeannette Meyers Thurber with the goal of presenting to the public opera productions in English.  Unfortunately this first attempt could not overcome major financial problems and closed the following year.

 While in production, however, the American Opera Company put forth an ambitious effort under the baton of Theodore Thomas, was himself as founder of the Chicago Symphony a significant contributor to the music scene of America.  During its two seasons of operation the company took off with breathtaking speed with performances in its hometown of New York and in many cities spanning coast to coast. In the second volume of Thomas' autobiography the opening date and personnel for sixteen different works are recorded.

Title Page of Libretto for American Opera Production
That Opened March 24, 1886.

On March 24, 1886, two short works translated into English from the French opened in New York: Sylvia, or The Nymph of Diana, a ballet by Jules Barbier and Louis Merante, music by Leo Delibes, and The Marriage of Jeannette by victor Masse, a one-act comic opera.  The cast and opening performance dates for the American Opera can be found in online copies of Theodore Thomas’ autobiography, volume 2, a work in the public domain.

The Marriage of Jeannette

At Tinfoil.com you can hear a rare French language cylinder recording of an aria sung by Paul Aumonier from this opera.

 

Jeannette: Pauline  L’Allemand

Jean:  William H. Lee

Thomas:  G. W. Williams

Pierre:  Kate Oesterle

Sylvia

Sylvia: Mlle. Theodora De Gillert

Diana:  Mlle. Gorone

Cupid:   Mlle. Felicita Carozzi

Aminta:  Prof. Mamert Bibeyran

Young Shepherd:  Mlle. Romilda Vic

Orion:  M. Romeo

Thalie:  Mlle. Emilia Coralli

Terpsichore:  Mlle. Marschal

 

As an amateur student of history with one of my special interests being music, having a copy of this libretto in my possession to see up close and do some research is for me a wonderful opportunity to grow knowledge.  It is always an enjoyable experience.