Formosa

Event Information

Venue(s):
Niblo's Garden

Proprietor / Lessee:
Henry C. Jarrett
Henry Palmer

Manager / Director:
Henry C. Jarrett
Henry Palmer

Event Type:
Play With Music

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
25 July 2020

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

06 Sep 1869, Evening
07 Sep 1869, Evening
08 Sep 1869, Evening
09 Sep 1869, Evening
10 Sep 1869, Evening
11 Sep 1869, Evening

Program Details

“Boucicault’s new drama of Modern Life,” presented by “special favorites from the principal theatres of Boston, Philadelphia, London, and New York.” First appearance in New York of Charles Thorne, Jr. (“by kind permission of J. H. Selwyn, Boston”). First appearances at Niblo’s Garden of Kate Newton and Ada Harland. Debut of Isabel Freeman.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Formosa, the most beautiful; or, The railroad to ruin
Text Author: Boucicault
Participants:  Harry Pearson [actor-voc] (role: Sam Soker);  Emma Skerrett (role: Mrs. Dudley);  Kate Newton (role: Jenny Formosa);  William Holston (role: Bob Sanders);  Charles H. Morton [actor] (role: Major Jorum);  Isabel [actress] Freeman (role: Nelly);  Ada [actress and dancer] Harland (role: Earl of Eden);  Charles [actor] Thorne, Jr. (role: Tom Burraghs);  Annie [actress] Lansdale (role: Mrs. Boxer);  Patti [actress] Mackworth (role: Edith Borroughs);  Ada [actress] Leggett (role: Countess de Vaurian)
2)
Formosa, the most beautiful; or, The railroad to ruin, [incidental music]
Composer(s): Operti

Citations

1)
Article: New-York Daily Tribune, 02 September 1869, 4.

Article on reception of Formosa in London. “Some idea of the social sensation attending the production of Mr. Boucicault’s new play, ‘Formosa,’ in London, may be gathered from the fact that we have before us no less than thirteen indignant communications upon the subject, addressed by ‘heads of families,’ ‘amateur critics,’ and the like, to various newspapers. One of these occupies nearly two columns in The Times.” No mention of music.

2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 05 September 1869, 11.

Second card on page 11: “Niblo’s Garden.—Especial Card.

“In answer to the inquiries of ‘Old Playgoer,’ ‘Brother,’ ‘Marius’ and others, the Mnagement beg distinctly to state that there are no indelicacies in ‘Formosa.’ It simply deals with an [illeg…] which has hitherto been [illeg…].”

3)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 05 September 1869, 11.

“FORMOSA will be presented with DELIGHTFULLY REALISTIC SCENERY.” Full cast list (quite extensive).

4)
Announcement: New York Post, 06 September 1869, 2.
5)
Advertisement: New-York Daily Tribune, 06 September 1869, 6.
6)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 06 September 1869, 7.

“The play will be superbly mounted. ENTIRE [sic] NEW SCENERY, MAGNIFICENT APPOINTMENTS, ORIGINAL MUSIC, AND A GREAT CAST OF CHARACTERS.”

7)
Announcement: New York Herald, 06 September 1869, 4.

No mention of music.

8)
Review: New York Sun, 07 September 1869, 1.

No mention of music.

9)
Review: New York Post, 07 September 1869, 7.

No mention of music.

10)
Review: New-York Daily Tribune, 07 September 1869, 4.

Long review, mostly of the play itself, not the performance of it. No mention of music.

11)
Review: New-York Times, 07 September 1869, 4.

Lengthy review. No mention of music.

12)
Review: New York Herald, 07 September 1869, 10.

Quite a long review; in places illegible. Plot summary. Praises actors. No mention of music.

13)
Advertisement: New York Clipper, 11 September 1869, 183.

“The overture and characteristic music, composed by SIG. OPERTI.”

14)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 11 September 1869, 182.

“Sig. Operti has written all the music for ‘Formosa,’ the original not having been sent from London in time for the initial performance of the piece at Niblo’s Garden.”

15)
Review: New York Clipper, 18 September 1869, 190.

Long; no mention of music.