Gluck at Vienna.--Iphigenia in Aulis.--A rehearsal at Sophie Arnould's.--Gluck and Vestris.--Piccinni in Italy.--Piccinni in Paris.--The two Iphigenias.--Iphigenia in Champagne.--Madeleine Guimard, Vestris, and the Ballet. F
[Sidenote: A MANAGER IN THE BENCH.] A complete History of the Opera would include a history of operatic music, a history of operatic dancing, a history of the chief operatic theatres, and a history of operatic society. I have made no attempt to
DER KONIG WIDER WILLEN In three acts by EMANUEL CHABRIER. Text after a comedy written by ANCELOT, from EMILE DE NAJAC and PAUL BURANI. The composer has recently become known in Germany by his opera Gwendoline, performed at Leipsic a sho
NACHTLAGER VON GRANADA. In two acts by CONRADIN KREUTZER. Text taken from Kind's drama of the same name by Freiherr K. VON BRONN. This little opera, which literally overflows with charming songs and true German melody, has never passed t
In one act by WEBER. Text by HIEMER. This little opera, composed by Weber in his early youth and first represented at Dresden under the composer's own direction, for a time fell into utter oblivion, but has lately been reproduced. Thoug
Grand romantic Opera in four acts by GIUSEPPE VERDI. Text by ANTONIO GHISLANZONI. Translated into German by S. SCHANZ. English version by KENNEY. This opera owes its great popularity not only to its brilliant music and skilful instrumentati
In three acts by FLOTOW. Text after the French by W. FRIEDRICH. Flotow, who composed this little opera when at Paris in the year 1844, that is long before his Martha, had the satisfaction of scoring a great success on the evening of its fi
I'm fond of fire and crickets, and all that, A lobster salad, and champagne, and chat. BYRON. From this genteel place the reader must not be surprised, if I should convey him to a cellar, or a common porter-house. CON
"A neat, snug study on a winter's night; A book, friend, single lady, or a glass Of claret, sandwich, and an appetite, Are things which make an English evening pass, Though certes by no means so grand a sight, As is a
"Our Barytone I almost had forgot; * * * * * In lover's parts, his passion more to breathe, Having no heart to show, he shows his teeth."--BYRON. The Barytone of the opera is probably the most
"Lord! said my mother, what is all this story about? "A cock and a bull, said Yorick--and one of the best of its kind I ever heard."--TRISTRAM SHANDY. Prince Henry. "'Wilt thou rob this leather-jerkin, crystal-button, n
"Your female singer being exceedingly capricious and wayward, and very liable to accident."--SKETCH BOOK. Every body knows what a prima donna is. She is the first lady, and this is a fact apparently better known to the individual he
I Once upon a time, in a lonely glade between high mountains far, far above the World of Men, there stood a hut. It was a miserable, tumbledown, little hut, and the mosses of many summers clung to its sloping roof. It had a bent stovepipe where
I Long ago, in half-forgotten days, a little hut stood at the edge of a great forest. It was rather a meek, shamefaced little hut, for the forest was great and beautiful, and the hut was small and ugly. Still, it had a glowing fireplace inside,
I Long years ago a maiden, fair as the morning itself, wandered through a lonely greenwood in the Duchy of Brabant. She was Elsa, only daughter of the late Duke of Brabant, who had died but a short time before this story begins. Although Els
I This is a tale of long ago. It is a tale of the days of knighthood and minstrelsy; of the days when field and forest rang with the clash of arms, and baronial halls echoed with the sound of harp and voice; when brave knights vied with one ano
I A storm on the ocean is a fearful thing to see. It roars, it flashes, it races huge waves mountain-high one after the other, it dashes them furiously against the sharp rocks, it howls, it blows, and it tosses great ships about as though they
Sigismondi, the librarian of the Neapolitan Conservatory, had a horror of Rossini's music, and took care that all his printed works in the library should be placed beyond the reach of the young and innocent pupils. He was determined to preserve th
Ramists and Lullists.--Rameau's Letters of nobility.--His death.--Affairs of honour and love.--Sophie Arnould.--Madame Favart.--Charles Edward at the Académie. Lulli died in Paris, March 22nd, 1687, at the age of fifty-four. In
Great Italian Singers.--Ferri in Sweden.--Opera in Vienna.--Scenic decorations.--Singers of the Eighteenth Century.--Singers' nicknames.--Farinelli's one note. [Sidenote: QUEEN CHRISTINA AND FERRI.] Handel, by his great musical
Gluck at Vienna.--Iphigenia in Aulis.--A rehearsal at Sophie Arnould's.--Gluck and Vestris.--Piccinni in Italy.--Piccinni in Paris.--The two Iphigenias.--Iphigenia in Champagne.--Madeleine Guimard, Vestris, and the Ballet. F
The Ballets of Versailles.--Louis XIV. astonished at his own importance.--Louis retires from the stage; congratulations addressed to him on the subject; he re-appears.--Privileges of Opera dancers and singers.--Manners and custom