New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera: Der Schauspieldirektor

“Mozart’s little Opera ‘Der Schauspieldirector’ (The Theatre Manager) was performed last week, for the first time, probably, in this country. The Weekly Review [11/12/70] says of it:

It was for a festive occasion in 1786, that Mozart set the music to the above-named farce. As so many pieces which the masters of the last century wrote, so was this a pièce d’occasion. The plot is very simple, chiefly illustrating the troubles of a theatrical manager, and the rivalry of two leading prima donnas. The score consisted of but five numbers—an overture, which rises above the general bouffe character of the music, two arias, a trio, and the finale. It is chiefly the trio, which is as sparkling, humorous, and characteristic as anything Mozart has written, and which might serve as a model to our modern composers of opera bouffe. The piece was soon laid aside, but some thirty years ago revived by the well-known artistical manager of the Royal Theatre in Berlin, Mr. Louis Schneider. He conceived the idea of altering the text, and chiefly to illustrate the relations between Mozart and Schikaneder, when the former wrote his ‘Magic Flute,’ and also to ridicule the jealousies of the two leading songstresses of that time, Mmes. Lange and Cavalieri. Thus the interest centres around these four illustrious persons; and, although many objections have been raised as to the propriety of making Mozart appear in a somewhat ludicrous light, it must nevertheless be admitted that Mr. Schneider has succeeded in making a very funny arrangement of the old piece. To the original four musical movements he added four songs—also composed by Mozart—and one of which—‘The Ribbon Trio’—is a very curious and exciting composition—a perfect jewel of humorous music. It was the arrangement by Schneider, which the German opera company produced the other night, at the Stadttheater, in splendid style, by Mme. Lichtmay, and Messrs. Holzl and Himmer, and for which every participant deserves the thanks of all who can appreciate opera bouffe in its best style.”