Subject: Opera

This is a program from a performance at Able's Opera House in Easton, Pennsylvania, on January 7, 1887. The main performance was 'Jephthah and His Daughter.' The program also includes numerous advertisements for local businesses. Isaac Goldberg (or Goldsmith) is listed on the program.

This broadside advertises Max Maretzek's Grand Italian Opera Company's performance of Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera "The Star of the North" (L'Etoile du Nord) at the Boston Theatre on Thursday evening, November 22, 1866. The program lists E. Booth and J. S. Clarke as lessees, and J. B. Booth (Junius Brutus Booth Jr.) as acting and stage manager. It includes a detailed cast list for various roles, noting individuals such as Miss C. L. Kellogg, Miss A. M. Hancox, Signor Bellini, Signor Galassi, Signor Anastasi, Madame Maretzek, and others. The broadside also provides admission prices for Parquette and Dress Circle, Family Circle, and Amphitheatre, and mentions details about orchestra, chorus, costumes, and scenery. Decorative features include prominent, bold typography for the main titles and varied font sizes to organize information, typical of 19th-century theatrical advertisements. **3.

Broadside advertising a performance of Verdi's Ernani by the Maretzek Italian Opera Company at the Boston Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts on November 17, 1866. The broadside details the performers and the date of the performance.

This broadside announces a performance of the opera "The Jewess" ("La Juive") at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, England. The date of the performance is listed as Saturday evening, March 26th, but the year is uncertain; possibilities include 1842 or 1853. The broadside also notes that this is the 8th time the opera was performed in America and provides details about the actors and scenes. It's considered possibly the earliest extant American broadside for this opera. The opera, composed by Fromental Halévy, premiered in Paris in 1835 and was a popular work in the 19th century. The storyline explores the theme of religious tolerance.

Playbill broadside advertising a performance by the Ullman and Strakosch Opera Company at the Boston Academy of Music on January 15, 1860. The program includes Donizetti's opera, *The Martyrs*.

A carte-de-visite studio portrait of a man, identified as Maurice Strakosch, presented in a bust-length pose with a mustache and a bow tie. The reverse of the card features the ornate design and branding of the photographer, Ch. Reutlinger, including their name, address (21 Boulevard Montmartre, Paris), a crest-like logo, and the phrases 'Déposé' and 'Garanti d'après nature.' Both the front and back of the photograph contain handwritten script.

A check from the Institution for the Savings of Merchant's Clerks in New York, dated October 17, 1874, for the amount of $263.00. The check is made payable to Mme Adelaide Lee Nielson and signed by Max Strakosch. Visual features include a pre-printed revenue stamp, ornate Victorian-style lettering for the institution's name, and a decorative border. The item shows signs of folding. **3.

This book, "Crochets and Quavers: Or Revelations of an Opera Manager in America," by Max Maretzek, offers a personal account of the author's experiences managing opera companies in the United States during the mid-19th century. Published in New York around 1855, the book comprises 346 pages plus advertisements and details Maretzek's involvement with prominent opera houses and companies, including his contributions to the early development of opera in New York City. The book covers a wide range of topics, including music in New York in 1848, the Astor Place Opera House, opera quarrels, the Astor Place Riots, New York fashions, New York critics and criticism, fancy dress balls, Mozart's Don Giovanni, Mexico, opera and bull fights, and Mexican revolutions.

Newspaper clipping from the March 6, 1852, issue of *Gleason's Pictorial*, featuring an illustrated article about a benefit opera at Castle Garden for Max Maretzek. The article details Maretzek's contributions to opera in the United States, including his role in establishing the Max Maretzek Italian Opera Company, one of the first major opera companies in Manhattan. The clipping also mentions the company's performances of important works like *Rigoletto*, *Il trovatore*, and *La traviata*. Published in New York in 1852. The clipping measures 8 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide.

Broadside announcing the performance of "Il Trovatore" at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on February 26, 1877, as part of the 20th anniversary celebration. The performance was conducted by Max Maretzek, featuring Marietta Gazzaniga, Pasquilino Brignoli, and other performers. The broadside lists ticket prices and the location of the box office.

This postcard advertises the new opera "Virginia, or Ringing the Changes" by Henry P. Stephens and Edward Solomon, authors of "Billee Taylor, &c." The postcard lists prices for various musical arrangements from the opera, including Vocal Score ($1.00), Potpourri (75), Waltz (35), Libretto (15), Lanciers (50), and Galop (35). It states that "Virginia is a dainty and charming opera and has gained deserved and immediate popularity." The opera was published by Wm. A. Pond & Co. at 25 Union Square, N. Y. The verso of the postcard features a decorative "POSTAL CARD." banner with ornate scrollwork, and a printed U.S. Postage One Cent stamp design depicting a classical female bust.

Broadside program for a performance of Max Maretzek's Grand Italian Opera at the Boston Theatre on Thursday, November 15, 1866. The program includes the opera *The Elixir of Love*. Printed by Innes & Niles in Boston.

Silk souvenir broadside advertising the final performance of "The Beggar Student" by the McCaull Opera Comique Company at the Casino Theatre in New York, New York on February 2, 1884. The broadside features the name of Rudolph Aronson.

This is the first US edition of Richard Cumberland's *The Jew of Mogadore: A Comic Opera, in Three Acts*. Published in New York by David Longworth at the Dramatic Repository, Shakspeare Gallery in 1808. The book is described as being in very good condition, measuring 5.5" x 3.5", and containing 56 pages. It was removed from a nonce volume but is complete. Shaw & Shoemaker's American Bibliography lists this edition as number 14808.

This trade card advertises the Wilbur Opera Company's performance at Jacobs & Proctor's Academy of Music in New York City. The front of the card depicts a hand holding flowers, announcing the opera company's commencement on May 4th. The back of the card features a full advertisement for Jacobs & Proctor's Academy of Music, stating admission is 10 cents. The card's design and illustration style suggest it is from the late 19th century. [The H.R. Jacobs Thalia Theatre, which operated from 1889-1890, was formerly known as the Bowery Theatre, a renowned venue that hosted famous guests such as Charles Dickens, Walt Whitman, and several U.S. Presidents. In 1889-1890, it was subleased to H.R. Jacobs, a Jewish theatre company that performed in Yiddish.]