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.

SEVEN WORDS TO THE CROSS Robert F Jones Christian Book Review

Seven Words to the Cross

Babamarusia's Christian Book Review
by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

Robert F. Jones (1911-1980), author
John Knox Press, 1961

It may seem odd to review a book that was published 51 years ago in 1961 and definitely out of print, yet with the internet books are available to buy that were more difficult to find in the past, and both church and public libraries may have this book available for checkout.  This book is good reading.

Seven Words to the Cross by Rev. Robert F. Jones is a publication of seven meditations delivered by Dr. Jones as part of a Lenten vesper series in the First Congregational church of Forth Worth, Texas.  The meditations are, however, not only for the season of Lent preceeding Easter.  They are worthy reading any time of the year.

My Criteria for Choosing Christian Books to Read:
The reading that I like to do for my Christian growth--after the Holy Bible, of course--is going to do one of two things, or both.  The books I appreciate reading will (1) aid in my spiritual growth and/or (2) make me think and desire to know more about what was said.  These may seem to be the same but they are not--similar, maybe, but not the same.

The book is not a large work and can, if desired, easily be read in one sitting lasting just a few hours.  Or, you might want to read a portion and think about it before moving on. 

From the dustjacket endflap:
Through these quiet, powerful meditations, Robert F. Jones makes us a part of the crowd at Calvary.  The passers-by, the soldiers, the penitent theif, the centurion--we stand with them all.  At the cross we become aware once again of the call of Christ and his profound forgiveness.

The Meditations:
1.   The  Word of Those Who Wanted Religion Without a Cross
2.   The Word That Snowed the Power of Negative Thinking
3.   The Word of Those Who Expected Religion to Be Dramatic
4.   The Word of a Man Who Got Life for a Look
5.   The Word of Those Who Failed to Recognize True Religion
6.   The Word of the Man Who Could Have Done So Much but Did So Little
7.   The Word We Speak to the Cross

Should you decided to get a copy of Seven Words to the Cross, be sure that the title has the word TO in it, that the author is Robert F. Jones (this is NOT Bob Jones as in Bob Jones University), and that it was published by John Knox Press in 1961.  There has been only one printing and it was in 1961.

Sample Excerpt from Meditation 7, page 86:
"...Jesus picked up not five stones but five scars, any one of which would have been enough to redeem the world, and with them He slew the Goliath of evil.  If He, our Leader, wore five scars, then we His soldiers must be prepared, on the great day of review when He comes to judge the living and the dead, to show Him the scars we have won in His cause and in His name.  To each of us He will say: 'Show me your hands and side.'  Woe unto us who come from Calvary with hands unscarred and white."

Copies of Seven Words to the Cross on Amazon.com.
Copies on Alibris.com