Tempest
Event Information
Venue(s):
Grand Opera House
Proprietor / Lessee:
James, Jr. Fisk
Manager / Director:
Clifton W. Tayleure
Event Type:
Play With Music
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
11 September 2019
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
31 Mar 1869, Evening01 Apr 1869, Evening
02 Apr 1869, Evening
03 Apr 1869, Matinee
03 Apr 1869, Evening
Program Details
First performance was repeatedly postponed; see various announced start dates throughout citations.
Performers and/or Works Performed
Citations
“Various alterations and improvements have been made in the Grand Opera House during the recess. A fine green-room has ben constructed in the rear of the stage, above which, and opening on a corridor that overlooks it, are sixteen new dressing rooms, supplied with gas and with hot and cold water. New decorations by Garibaldi will be seen in the main vestibule of the theater, and on the ceiling beneath the first balcony. The requisite preparations for the production of ‘The Tempest’ are nearly finished. Mr. Davidge has directed them. Mr. Goetz has painted the scenery. It is understood that magnificent scenic effects will be attempted. The theatrical company is to meet at 11 o’clock on Saturday. Several chief features of the cast with which ‘The Tempest’ is to be produced are as follows: Prospero, Mr. E.L. Davenport; Miranda, Miss Josephine Fiddes [sic]; Ferdinand, Mr. Frank Mayo; Caliban, Mr. Davidge; Alonso, Mr. Bangs; Antonio, Mr. Carden; Ariel, Miss Lucette. The Morlacchi Ballet Troupe has been engaged, so that the spirits attending on Prospero may be duly represented.”
Notes that “the accessions and general appointments of the play have all been imported from Europe.” Lists cast; no mention of music.
“It seems strange, after hearing on so many occasions of Pike’s Opera House as the ‘most perfect of theatres,’ to learn that Mr. Tayleure has had to construct in it, before he could begin his dramatic season there, ‘a green-room and sixteen new dressing-rooms.’ One feels curious to know what the opera artists did without those very necessary adjuncts. Each of the new apartments has been supplied, too, with hot and cold water, we learn, and the question naturally arises how did our harmonious friends perform their ablutions before this luxurious supply of Croton was thought of? or, [sic], didn’t they ablute at all? Since the departure of opera bouffe from Pike’s Opera House, Mr. Garibaldi, the artist, has been at work upon some of the ceilings over the circles, in the auditorium, which he has filled with neat examples of his decorative art. The theatre, in its improved condition, is to be opened on Easter Monday. The scenery for the ‘Tempest’ has been prepared by Mr. Getz, of Baltimore, and the music by Mr. Tissington, who is to be the leader of the orchestra. Miss Catherine Lucette is named as the Ariel of the cast, and the Morlacchi troupe is engaged for the ballets.”
“The sale of seats for the opening night of the Grand Opera House will begin on Wednesday.”
“Extensive preparations have been made by Manager Tayleure for bringing out ‘The Tempest’ at the Grand Opera House in a style befitting the play, which, if not actually surpassing, will at least equal in effects and mise en scene anything of the kind ever before produced either in this country or in Europe. The sale of seats for the opening performance commences to-morrow.”
Notes postponement; performance had been originally announced for 03/28/69.