Earth and Space News: Met Opera first season 1883-1884

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Monday, February 1, 2021

Roméo et Juliette Was 20th, Last Premiere in Met Opera's First Season

Summary: Roméo et Juliette opened Wednesday, April 16, 1884, as the 20th and final premiere in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884.

Polish coloratura soprano Marcella Sembrich originated the Met Opera role of Juliette in the opera house's April 16, 1884, premiere of Gounod's Roméo et Juliette; 1888 portrait of Marcella Sembrich, age 30, painted in Dresden, Germany, by German painter and graphic artist Paul Friedrich Meyerheim (July 13, 1842-Sept. 14, 1915): The Sembrich @TheSembrich, via Facebook Oct. 25, 2019

Roméo et Juliette premiered Wednesday, April 16, 1884, as the 20th and final opera in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884.

The five-act tragic opera by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893) received one performance, sung in Italian, in Met Opera's first season. The premiere and only performance of Roméo et Juliette was staged at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Auguste Vianesi (Nov. 2, 1837-Nov. 4, 1908) conducted the first season's solitary performance of Roméo et Juliette. The French-naturalized, northwestern Italy-born conductor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the first season's inaugural premiere, Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Italo Campanini (June 30, 1845-Nov. 14, 1896) sang the title role of Roméo Montague. The Italian operatic tenor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the title role in the opening season's inaugural premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Marcella Sembrich (Feb. 15, 1858-Jan. 11, 1935) sang the title role of Juliette Capulet. The Polish coloratura soprano had made her Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, in the title role in Met Opera's second premiere, Lucia di Lammermoor by Italian opera composer Gaetano Donizetti (Nov. 29, 1797-April 8, 1848).

Giovanni Mirabella appeared as Frère Laurent, who performs the marriage ceremony for Roméo et Juliette. The Florentine bass had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 29, 1883, as Giorgio in the first season's fourth premiere, I Puritani by 19th century Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini (Nov. 3, 1801-Sept. 23, 1835).

Louise Lablache (1855?-1926) sang the trouser role of Stéphano, Roméo's page. The French mezzo-soprano had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Marthe in the opera house's opening night performance of Gounod's Faust. Louise Lablache's Met Opera career covered the opera house's first season. The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database (MetOpera Database) noted Louise Lablache's appearance in Roméo et Juliette as her last Met Opera performance.

Giuseppe Del Puente (Jan. 30, 1841-May 25, 1900) appeared as Roméo's friend, Mercutio. The Italian baritone had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Valentin in the opening season's opening premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Amadeo Grazzi appeared as Benvolio, Montague's nephew. He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Normanno in the opening season's second premiere, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Emilie Deméric-Lablache (Oct. 6, 1830-?), credited as Emily Lablache, performed as Gertrude, Juliette's nurse. The French mezzo-sopano-contralto, mother of Louise Lablache, had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 5, 1883, as Flora in the first season's sixth premiere, La Traviata by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Achille Augier sang the bass role of Count Capulet, Juliette's father. He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Raimondo in the first season's second premiere, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Achille Augier's Met Opera career lasted one season. The MetOpera Database noted Achille Augier's appearance in Roméo et Juliette as his last Met Opera performance.

Nicola Stagi sang Tybalt, Lady Capulet's nephew, who was matching Juliette with Count Pâris. The Italian tenor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 19, 1883, as Raimbaut in the first season's 10th premiere, Robert le Diable by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864).

Ludovico Contini appeared in the baritone role of Count Pâris. He had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Wagner in the first season's first premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Baldassare Corsini sang the baritone role of Capulet's servant, Grégorio. He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1883, as Laërte in the first season's fifth premiere, Meyerbeer's Mignon.

Pietro Mascotti performed the bass role of the Duke of Verona, in whose dukedom the Capulet and Montague feud escalates into a bloody vendetta. He had made his MetOpera debut as the Herald in the first season's second performance of Meyerbeer's Le Prophète.

Roméo et Juliette was presented as the 20th and final premiere of the Metropolitan Opera's first season, 1883-1884. The tragic opera numbered as the second of two Gounod operas staged in Met Opera's first season. Faust had opened Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as the first of 20 premieres in the opera house's first season lineup.

The takeaways for Met Opera's premiere of Roméo et Juliette are that the tragic opera was staged as the 20th and last premiere in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884; that only one performance was offered; and that Polish coloratura soprano Marcella Sembrich originated the opera house's role of Juliette.

French mezzo-soprano Louise Lablache's appearance in the trouser role of Stéphano in the Metropolitan Opera's first season premiere of Roméo et Juliette marked her last Met Opera performance: Josep Maria Rebés @JMRebes, via Twitter Dec. 31, 2020

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

1888 portrait of Marcella Sembrich, age 30, painted in Dresden, Germany, by German painter and graphic artist Paul Friedrich Meyerheim (July 13, 1842-Sept. 14, 1915): The Semrich @TheSembrich, via Facebook Oct. 25, 2019, @ https://www.facebook.com/TheSembrich/photos/a.452747911457405/2455144771217699/

"Debut: Baldassare Corsini." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID:1050 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Mignon {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/31/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1050

"Debut: Emily Lablache, Giuseppe Barberis, Malvina Cavalazzi." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID:1080 Metropolitan Opera Premiere La Traviata {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/5/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1080

"Debut: Giovanni Mirabella, Ida Corani." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1040 Metropolitan Opera Premiere I Puritani {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/29/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1040

"Debut: Nicola Stagi." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1180 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Robert le Diable {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/19/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1180

"Debut: Pietro Mascotti." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 2170 Le Prophète {2} Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts: 03/7/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=2170

"Debuts: Italo Campanini, Christine Nilsson, Franco Novara, Giuseppe Del Puente, Sofia Scalchi, Louise Lablache, Ludovico Contini, Auguste Vianesi, Mr. Corani, Mr. Abbiati, Charles Fox, Jr., William Schaeffer, Gaspar Maeder, Mr. Thompson, D. Ascoli, Henry Dazian." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID:1000 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Faust {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/22/1883. Metropolitan Opera Premiere Opening Night {1}.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1000

"Debuts: Marcella Sembrich, Giuseppe Kaschmann, Achille Augier, Amadeo Grazzi, Imogene Forti, Vincenzo Fornaris." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1010 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Lucia di Lammermoor {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/24/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1010

Josep Maria Rebés @JMRebes. "Fa uns dies prometia més notícies sobre la família Lablache. Ara arriben en forma de nou article de la @Viquipedia: Louise Lablache, mezzo que va actuar al Liceu a la temporada 1885. Últim article meu d'aquest 2020, dedicat, com gairebé sempre, a una dona https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_La . . ." Twitter. Dec. 31, 2020.
Available @ https://twitter.com/JMRebes/status/1344691412089131009

Marriner, Derdriu. "Faust Opened Oct. 22, 1883, as First Opera in Met Opera’s First Season." Earth and Space News. Monday, Sept. 21, 2020."
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/10/faust-opened-oct-22-1883-as-first-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Metropolitan Opera Premiered 20 Operas During Opening Season 1883-1884." Earth and Space News. Monday, Sept. 14, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/10/metropolitan-opera-premiered-20-operas.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Roméo et Juliette Is the Jan. 21, 2017, Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, Jan. 16, 2017.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/01/romeo-et-juliette-is-jan-21-2017.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Roméo et Juliette Is May 5, 2018, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, April 30, 2018.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/romeo-et-juliette-is-may-5-2018-met.html

"Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Roméo et Juliette.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 2430 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Roméo et Juliette {1} Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 04/16/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=2430

Rous, Samuel Holland. The Victrola Book of the Opera: Stories of One Hundred and Twenty Operas With Seven-Hundred Illustrations and Descriptions of Twelve-Hundred Victor Opera Records. Fourth revised edition. Camden NJ: Victor Talking Machine Company, 1917.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/victrolabookofop00vict

The Sembrich @TheSembrich. "Updated their profile picture." Facebook. October 25, 2019
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/TheSembrich/photos/a.452747911457405/2455144771217699/

Monday, January 25, 2021

Met Opera Opened 19th First Season Opera Les Huguenots March 19, 1884

Summary: Les Huguenots opened Wednesday, March 19, 1884, as the 19th premiere in the Metropolitan Opera's first season, 1883-1884.

Polish coloratura soprano Marcella Sembrich costumed as Marguerite de Valois, the Met Opera role she originated in the opera house's first season premiere of Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots: The Sembrich @TheSembrich, via Facebook March 8, 2015

Met Opera premiered Les Huguenots Wednesday, March 19, 1884, as the 19th opera in the opera house's first season, 1883-1884.

The five-act grand opéra (grand opera) by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864) received three performances, sung in Italian, during Met Opera's first season. The Metropolitan Opera House was the venue for Les Huguenot's Wednesday premiere and also for the second performance, Wednesday, March 26. The inaugural season's closing performance of Les Huguenots took place Monday, April 14, at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Auguste Vianesi (Nov. 2, 1837-Nov. 4, 1908) conducted all three performances of Les Huguenots in the first season. The French-naturalized, northwestern Italy-born conductor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the first season's first premiere, Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Marcella Sembrich (Feb. 15, 1858-Jan. 11, 1935) appeared in all three performances as Marguerite de Valois, whose marriage to Henry of Navarre is presented as preceding the massacre of French Protestants in the opera's fifth and last act. The Polish coloratura soprano had made her Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, in the title role in Met Opera's premiere of Lucia di Lammermoor by Italian opera composer Gaetano Donizetti (Nov. 29, 1797-April 8, 1848).

Italo Campanini (June 30, 1845-Nov. 14, 1896) sang Raoul de Nangis in all three performances. The Italian operatic tenor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the title role in the opening season's opening premiere, Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Christine Nilsson (Aug. 20, 1843-Nov. 20, 1921) sang in all three performances as Valentine, a Catholic who loves Raoul, a Protestant. The Swedish operatic soprano had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Marguerite in the first season's first premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Giuseppe Del Puente (Jan. 30, 1841-May 25, 1900) appeared in all three performances as the Count de Nevers, who becomes Valentine's husband. Giuseppe Del Puente had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Valentin in the opening season's inaugural premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Sofia Scalchi (Nov. 29, 1850-Aug. 22, 1922) sang the trouser role of royal page Urbain in all three performances. The Italian operatic contralto-mezzosoprano had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the trouser role of Siebel in the first season's inaugural premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Giuseppe Kaschmann (July 14, 1850-Feb. 11, 1925) appeared in all three performances as the Count de Saint Bris, Valentine's father. The Croatian-Austrian operatic baritone, whose birth name was Josip Kašman, had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Enrico in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, the first season's second premiere.

Giovanni Mirabella appeared as Claudius, Hamlet's fratricidal uncle, in all three performances. The Florentine bass had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 29, 1883, as Giorgio in I Puritani by 19th century Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini (Nov. 3, 1801-Sept. 23, 1835).

The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database (MetOpera Database) lists Miss Alberti (no first name given) as the singer of the soprano role of a Lady of Honor in all three performances. Miss Alberti's Met Opera career apparently was confined to only one opera in the opera house's first season. Miss Alberti's appearance in the premiere marked her Met Opera debut. Her appearance in the closing performance was noted as her last Met Opera performance.

For the opera's premiere and second performance, the MetOpera Database designates the singers of the roles of Tavannes, Méru and Bois-Rosé as "unknown." The third performance's roster identifies Amadeo Grazzi as Tavannes, Baldassare Corsini as Méru and Nicola Stagi as Bois-Rosé. Amadeo Grazzi made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Normanno in the first season's second premiere, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Baldassare Corsini made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1883, as Laërte in the first season's fifth premiere, Giacomo Meyerbeer's Mignon. Nicola Stagi had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 19, 1883, as Raimbaut in the opening season's 10th premiere, Meyerbeer's Robert le Diable.

The MetOpera Database entry for the opera's premiere identifies Mr. Corani (Henry De Courtney Corani, ca. 1849-May 1905) and Mr. Abbiati as the production's directors and D. Ascoli and Henry Dazian as the production's set designers. No production information is included for the second and closing performances.

The MetOpera Database notes that a complete performance of Les Huguenots had been scheduled for Monday, April 7. The last-minute illness of Christine Nilsson, however, restricted the performance to the first act, with singing by Italo Campanini, as Raoul de Nangis; Giuseppe Del Puente, as the Count de Nevers; Sofia Scalchi, as Urbain; and Giovanni Mirabella as Marcel. The program then switched to a performance of Acts II and III of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Les Huguenots numbered as the third of three Meyerbeer operas staged in Met Opera's first season. Robert Le Diable opened Monday, Nov. 19, 1883, as the first season's 10th premiere and as the first of the season's three Meyerbeer operas. Le Prophète occurred as the second of the season's three Meyerbeer operas.

Les Huguenots was staged as the 19th opera in the lineup of 20 operas in the Metropolitan Opera's opening season, 1883-1884. Roméo et Juliette, by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893), succeeded Les Huguenots as the 20th and last premiere in Met Opera's opening season.

The takeaways for Met Opera's premiere of Les Huguenots are that the grand opéra (grand opera) was staged as the 19th opera in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884, and that Polish coloratura soprano Marcella Sembrich and Swedish operatic soprano Christine Nilsson originated the opera house's roles of Marguerite de Valois and of Valentine, respectively.

Swedish operatic soprano Christine (Christina) Nilsson originated the role of Valentine at the Metropolitan Opera in the opera house's first season premiere of Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots; portrait of Christine Nilsson in The Marie Burroughs Art Portfolio of Stage Celebrities (1894): Public Domain, via Internet Archive

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

"Debut: Miss Alberti." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID:2250 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Les Huguenots {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/19/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=2250

Letellier, Robert Ignatius, trans., ed., annot. The Diaries of Giacomo Meyerbeer: Volume 4 1857-1864 The Last Years. Madison [NJ]: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2004.

The Marie Burroughs Art Portfolio of Stage Celebrities. A Collection of Photographs of the Leaders of Dramatic and Lyric Art. Chicago : A.N. Marquis & Company, 1894.
Available via HathiTrust @ https://hdl.handle.net/2027/njp.32101073370700
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/marieburroughsar00chic/

Marriner, Derdriu. "Met Opera's First Season Opened 17th Opera Le Prophète Feb. 12, 1884." Earth and Space News. Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2021/01/met-operas-first-season-opened-17th.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Met Opera Opened 10th First Season Opera Robert le Diable Nov. 19, 1883." Earth and Space News. Monday, Nov. 23, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/11/met-opera-opened-10th-first-season.html

Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Les Huguenots.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 2250 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Les Huguenots {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/19/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=2250

Owen, H. (Henry) Goddard. A Recollection of Marcella Sembrich. First edition. Bolton Landing NY: Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association: Jan. 1, 1950.

Owen, H. (Henry) Goddard; and Philip Lieson Miller. A Recollection of Marcella Sembrich, With a New Introduction. Da Capo Press Series in Architecture and Decorative Art. New York NY: Da Capo Press, April 21, 1982.

The Sembrich @TheSembrich. "We celebrate the achievements of Marcella Sembrich, opera star, renowned teacher and Polish patriot, on International Women's Day! http://www.internationalwomensday.com/." Facebook. March 8, 2015.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/TheSembrich/photos/a.481908958541300/805453859520140/LL

Monday, January 18, 2021

Hamlet Opened Feb. 21, 1884, as 18th Opera in Met Opera's First Season

Summary: Hamlet opened Feb. 21, 1884, as the 18th opera in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884.

Polish coloratura soprano Marcella Sembrich originated the role of Ophelia at the Metropolitan Opera with her appearance in the opera house's first season premiere of French composer Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet; The Sembrich @TheSembrich, via Facebook Feb. 24, 2020

Hamlet premiered Thursday, Feb. 21, 1884, as the 18th opera in Met Opera's opening season, 1883-1884.

The five-act grand opéra (grand opera) by French composer Ambroise Thomas (Aug. 5, 1811-Feb. 12, 1896) received three performances, sung in Italian, during Met Opera's first season. Hamlet's Thursday premiere took place at the Music Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio. The second performance took place Friday, Monday, March 3, at the Boston Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. The inaugural season's third and closing performance of Hamlet took place Monday, March 10, at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Auguste Vianesi (Nov. 2, 1837-Nov. 4, 1908) conducted all three of the first season's performances of Hamlet. The French-naturalized, northwestern Italy-born conductor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the first season's first premiere, Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Giuseppe Kaschmann (July 14, 1850-Feb. 11, 1925) sang the title role in all three performances. The Croatian-Austrian operatic baritone, whose birth name was Josip Kašman, had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Enrico in the first season's second premiere, Lucia di Lammermoor by Italian opera composer Gaetano Donizetti (Nov. 29, 1797-April 8, 1848).

Marcella Sembrich (Feb. 15, 1858-Jan. 11, 1935) sang opposite Giuseppe Kaschmann's Hamlet as Ophelia, Hamlet's fiancée and daughter of Court Chancellor Polonius. The Polish coloratura soprano had made her Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, in the title role in Met Opera's premiere of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Sofia Scalchi (Nov. 29, 1850-Aug. 22, 1922) sang Gertrude, Hamlet's mother who casts off widowhood to marry her deceased husband's brother, in all three performances. The Italian operatic contralto-mezzosoprano had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the trouser role of Siebel in the first season's inaugural premiere of Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Nicola Stagi appeared as Laërte, Ophelia's vengeful brother, in all three performances. The Italian tenor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 19, 1883, as Raimbaut in the opening season's 10th premiere, Robert le Diable by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864).

Baldassare Corsini sang the bass role of Court Chancellor Polonius, who is Ophelia's father, in all two performances. (The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database lists "unknown" for the singer of Polonius in the opera's closing performance.) He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1883, as Laërte in the first season's fifth premiere, Giacomo Meyerbeer's Mignon.

Ludovico Contini appeared as Hamlet's friend Horatio in two performances. (The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database lists "unknown" for the singer of Horatio in the opera's closing performance.) He had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Wagner in the inaugural season's first premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Amadeo Grazzi sang the bass role of Hamlet's friend Marcellus in two performances. (The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database lists "unknown" for the singer of Marcellus in the opera's closing performance.) He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Normanno in the first season's second premiere, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Achille Augier sang the bass role of the Ghost of Hamlet's father in all three performances. He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Raimondo in the premiere of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database (MetOpera Database) credits Malvina Cavalazzi (Cavallazzi) (ca. 1851/1862-1924) for "Dance." The Italian ballet dancer and teacher had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 5, 1883, in the first season's sixth premiere, La Traviata by Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901). In her dance history book, Shapes of American Ballet: Teachers and Training Before Balanchine (2016), Texas Christian University (TCU) Associate Professor of Dance Jessica Zeller, titled Malvina Cavallazzi as first ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera and as first director of the newly opened (1909) Metropolitan Opera Ballet School.

MetOpera Database credits Mr. Corani (Henry De Courtney Corani, ca. 1849-May 1905) and Mr. Abbiati as the production's directors for the Hamlet's premiere. Both directors had made their Met Opera debuts Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the inaugural season's first premiere, Gounod's Faust.

The first season's presentation of Hamlet numbered as the second of two Ambroise Thomas operas staged in opera house's inaugural season. Mignon had premiered Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1883, as the season's fifth opera.

Hamlet numbered as the 18th opera in the lineup of 20 operas in the Metropolitan Opera's opening season, 1883-1884. Les Huguenots, by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864), succeeded Hamlet as the 19th premiere in Met Opera's opening season.

The takeaways for Met Opera's premiere of Hamlet are that the grand opéra (grand opera) was staged as the 18th opera in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884, and that Polish coloratura soprano Marcella Sembrich originated the opera house's role of Ophelia.

Austrian-Croatian operatic baritone Giuseppe Kaschmann (birth name: Josip Kašman) originated the Met Opera role of Hamlet in the opera house's first season premiere of French composer Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet: Music History @today_classical, via Twitter Feb. 11, 2018

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Arakelyan, Ashot. "Giuseppe Kaschmann (Baritone) (Mali Lošinj 1847-Rome 1925)." Forgotten Opera Singers. Dec. 7, 2013.
Available @ http://forgottenoperasingers.blogspot.com/2013/12/giuseppe-kaschmann-baritone-mali-losinj.html

"Cavallazzi Malvina." Regione Emilia-Romagna > Vie en rose > Schede > Ravenna schede.
Available @ https://parita.regione.emilia-romagna.it/vie-en-rose/schede/ravenna-schede/cavallazzi-malvina

Marriner, Derdriu. "Met Opera Opened Mignon Oct. 31, 1883, as Fifth First Season Premiere." Earth and Space News. Monday, Oct. 19, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/10/met-opera-opened-mignon-oct-31-1883-as.html

"Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Hamlet.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 2030 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Hamlet {1} Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio: 02/21/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1540

Music History @today_classical. "#Today in 1925 Death of #baritone Giuseppe #Kaschmann. #MusicHistory #classicalmusic." Twitter. Feb. 11, 2018.
Available @ https://twitter.com/today_classical/status/962649973463703552

Zeller, Jessica. "Ballet’s Traditionalists: Malvina Cavallazzi and Luigi Albertieri." Shapes of American Ballet Teachers and Training Before Balanchine. New York NY: Oxford University Press, 2016.

Monday, January 11, 2021

Met Opera's First Season Opened 17th Opera Le Prophète Feb. 12, 1884

Summary: Met Opera opened Le Prophète Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1884, as the inaugural season's 17th premiere.

19th-century Italian operatic tenor Roberto Stagno originated the role of Jean of Leyden at the Metropolitan Opera, with his appearances in all four of the opera house's first season performances of Meyerbeer's Le Prophète; photograph of Roberto Stagno by Catalan photographer Rafael Areñas Miret (Feb. 13, 1846-April 2, 1891), La Ilustració Catalana, no. 31 (10 Maig 1881), page 245: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Met Opera opened Le Prophète Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1884, as the 17th premiere in the inaugural season's lineup of 20 operas.

The five-act grand opéra (grand opera) by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864) received four performances, sung in Italian, during Met Opera's first season. Le Prophète's Tuesday premiere took place at the Music Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio. The second performance took place Friday, March 7, at the Boston Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. The third performance was staged Friday, March 21, at the Metropolitan Opera House. The inaugural season's closing performance of Le Prophète took place Friday, April 18, at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Auguste Vianesi (Nov. 2, 1837-Nov. 4, 1908) conducted all four of the first season's performances of Le Prophète. The French-naturalized, northwestern Italy-born conductor had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the opening season's inaugural premiere, Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Roberto Stagno (Oct. 18, 1840-April 26, 1897) sang the title role of Dutch Anabaptist leader Jean of Leyden (Feb. 2, 1509-Jan. 22, 1536) in all four performances. The Italian operatic tenor had made his Met Opera debut Friday, Oct. 26, 1883, in the title role, Manrico, in the first season's third premiere, Il Trovatore by Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Alwina Valleria (Oct. 12, 1848-Feb. 17, 1925) sang the principal role of Berthe, bride of Jean of Leyden, in the first season's first three performances. The American soprano had made her Met Opera debut Friday, Oct. 26, 1883, as Leonora in Il Trovatore's premiere.

Alwina Valleria shared the role with Ida Corani, who sang Berthe in the season's closing performance of Le Prophète. According to the Metropolitan Opera Archives Database, Ida Corani's appearance Friday, April 18, marked her last Met Opera performance. Ida Corani had made her Met Opera debut as Enrichetta in the Monday, Oct. 29, 1883, premiere of the opera house's fourth opera, I Puritani by 19th century Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini (Nov. 3, 1801-Sept. 23, 1835).

Sofia Scalchi (Nov. 29, 1850-Aug. 22, 1922) sang Fidès, mother of Jean of Leyden, in all four performances. The Italian operatic contralto-mezzosoprano had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the trouser role of Siebel in the first season's inaugural premiere of Gounod's Faust.

Giovanni Mirabella, Nicola Stagi and Ludovico Contini sang as the Anabaptist trio of Zacharie, Jonas and Mathisen, respectively, in all four performances. Giovanni Mirabella had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 29, 1883, as Giorgio in the opening season's fourth premiere, Bellini's I Puritani. Nicola Stagi had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 19, as Raimbaut in the first season's 10th premiere, Robert le Diable by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864). Ludovico Contini had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Wagner in the first season's inaugural premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Luigi Guadagnini (died 1902) appeared in all four performances as Count Oberthal, who opposes Jean of Leyden and seeks his execution. According to the Metropolitan Opera Archives Database (MetOpera Database), Luigi Guadagnini's closing night performance marked his last Met Opera appearance. The Italian baritone had made his Met Opera debut Friday, Nov. 16, 1883, in the title role in the opera house's ninth first season premiere, Verdi's Rigoletto.

According to MetOpera Database, the role of a Peasant was not performed in the premiere (Feb. 12), second (March 7) or fourth (April 18), closing performances. Pietro Mascotti sang the role in the third (March 21) performance. He had made his Met Opera debut Friday, March 7, as the Herald in the first season's second performance of Le Prophète.

Amadeo Grazzi sang as the Officer in all four performances. He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Normanno in the opening season's second premiere, Lucia di Lammermoor by Italian opera composer Gaetano Donizetti (Nov. 29, 1797-April 8, 1848).

Francesco Rizzielli sang the Herald in the premiere (Feb. 12). His premiere appearance marked his Met Opera debut.

Francesco Rizzielli shared the role with Pietro Mascotti, who sang the Herald in the second (March 7) and fourth (April 18), closing performances. MetOpera Database lists the Herald role as "not performed" in the third performance, March 21.

Pietro Mascotti appeared in dual roles, as the Herald and as a Peasant, in Le Prophète. His appearance as the Herald in the second (March 7) performance marked his Met Opera debut. MetOpera Database notes Pietro Mascotti's appearance as the Herald in the fourth (April 18), closing performance as his last Met Opera performance.

MetOpera Database lists the Dance performer as "unknown" in the premiere. Malvina Cavalazzi (Cavallazzi) (ca. 1851/1862-1924) is credited for Dance in the second (March 7), third (March 21) and fourth (April 18), closing performances. The Metropolitan Opera's first ballerina had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 5, 1883, in the first season's sixth premiere, Verdi's La Traviata

Henry De Courtney Corani (ca. 1849-May 1905) and Mr. Abbiati directed the Metropolitan Opera's first production of Le Prophète. Set designers were Charles Fox, Jr., William Schaeffer, Gaspar Maeder (ca. 1840-Jan. 18, 1892) and Mr. Thompson. The production's costume designers were Henry Dazian (May 3, 1854-May 4, 1937) and D. Ascoli. All members of the production team had made their Met Opera debuts Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the opera house's first premiere, Gounod's Faust.

According to MetOpera Database's "Cancelled Performance" entry for April 12, 1884, a performance of Le Prophète was considered as a possible replacement for the cancelled Saturday matinee performance of Georges Bizet's Carmen. The illnesses of the title singer and of three rostered substitutes, as well as the absence of a fourth substitute, had precluded staging the April 12 matinee of Carmen. Efforts to substitute Le Prophète floundered because Sofia Scalchi had breakfasted too late on her free day to sing such a "heavy" role as Fidès.

Le Prophète numbered as the 17th opera in the lineup of 20 operas in the Metropolitan Opera's opening season, 1883-1884. Hamlet, by French composer Ambroise Thomas (Aug. 5, 1811-Feb. 12, 1896), succeeded Le Prophète as the 18th premiere in Met Opera's opening season.

Le Prophète occurred as the second of three Meyerbeer operas in the first season's lineup. Robert Le Diable opened Monday, Nov. 19, 1883, as the first season's 10th premiere and as the first of the season's three Meyerbeer operas. Les Huguenots, the season's third Meyerbeer opera, premiered Wednesday, March 19, 1884, as the season's 19th opera.

The takeaways for Met Opera's premiere of Le Prophète are that the grand opéra (grand opera) was staged as the 17th opera in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884, and that soprano Ida Corani and baritone Luigi Guadagnini made their last Met Opera appearances in the first season's fourth, closing performance of the tragic opera.

Apotheosis of Giacomo Meyerbeer depicts Le Prophète's Jean of Leyden and the Three Anabaptists (upper right) among main characters from four major operas; colorized postcard of engraving by French printmaker Joseph Alfred Annedouche (Sept. 13, 1833-Jan. 12, 1922), after painting by Belgian-French artist Edouard Jean Conrad Hamman (Sept. 24, 1819-March 30, 1888), published 1869 by Bulla Frères: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

"Cancelled Performance." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID:354614 Cancelled Performance. 04/12/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=354614

"Debut: Francesco Rizzielli." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1940 Metropolitan Opera Premiere e Prophète {1} Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio: 02/12/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1940

"Debut: Luigi Guadagnini, Miss Genetti, Grace Goldini." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1150 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Rigoletto {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/16/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1150

"Debut: Nicola Stagi." Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Robert le Diable.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1180 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Robert le Diable {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/19/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1180

"Debut: Roberto Stagno, Alwina Valleria, Zelia Trebelli." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1020 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Il Trovatore {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/26/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1020

Letellier, Robert Ignatius, trans., ed., annot. The Diaries of Giacomo Meyerbeer: Volume 4 1857-1864 The Last Years. Madison [NJ]: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2004.

Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Le Prophète.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1940 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Le Prophète {1} Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio: 02/12/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1940

Zeller, Jessica. "Ballet’s Traditionalists: Malvina Cavallazzi and Luigi Albertieri." Shapes of American Ballet Teachers and Training Before Balanchine. New York NY: Oxford University Press, 2016.

Monday, January 4, 2021

Carmen Opened Jan. 5, 1884, as 16th Opera in Met Opera's First Season

Summary: Carmen opened Jan. 5, 1884, as the 16th opera in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884.

19th-century French operatic mezzo-soprano Zelia Trebelli originated the role of Bizet's Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera with her Jan. 5, 1884, performance in the opera house's first season; undated portrait of Zelia Trebelli by German photographer Julius Cornelius Schaarwächter (July 14, 1847-Oct. 14, 1904), Berlin, Germany; collection of Bergen Public Library Norway: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Carmen premiered Jan. 5, 1884, as the 16th opera in Met Opera's opening season, 1883-1884.

The four-act tragic opéra comique (comic opera) by French Romantic Era composer Georges Bizet (Oct. 25, 1838-June 3, 1875) received 10 performances, sung in Italian, during Met Opera's first season. Carmen's Friday premiere took place at Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts. The second performance took place Monday, Jan. 7, at the Academy of Music, Brooklyn, New York. The third (Wednesday, Jan. 9) and fourth (Saturday, Jan. 12) performances were held at the Metropolitan Opera House. The Chestnut Street Opera House in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hosted the fifth performance, Saturday, Jan. 19. The sixth performance, Saturday, Jan. 26, was offered at Haverly's Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. The Olympic Theater in St. Louis, Missouri, hosted the seventh performance, Thursday, Feb. 7. The eighth performance, Saturday, March 1, was held at the Academy of Music in Baltimore, Maryland. The ninth (Monday, March 17) and 10th (Friday, April 4) performances were presented at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Cleofonte Campanini (Sept. 1, 1860-Dec. 19, 1919) conducted all performances of Carmen in Met Opera's first season. The Italian conductor had made his Met Opera debut Saturday, Nov. 3, 1883, in the second performance of the opening season's fifth opera, Mignon by French composer Ambroise Thomas (Aug. 5, 1811-Feb. 12, 1896).

Zelia Trebelli (Nov. 12, 1836-Aug. 18, 1892) is credited with originating the role of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera with her premiere appearance Friday, Jan. 5. The French operatic mezzo-soprano sang Carmen in all 10 performances. Zelia Trebelli's performance April 4 marked her last performance at Met Opera. She had made her Met Opera debut Friday, Oct. 26, 1883, as Azucena in the Metropolitan Opera premiere of Il Trovatore by Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Italo Campanini (June 30, 1845-Nov. 14, 1896) sang opposite Zelia Trebelli, in all 10 performances, as Don José, whose obsessive passion for Carmen proves fatal. The Italian operatic tenor, who was the older brother of conductor Cleofonte Campanini, had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, in the title role in the opening season's opening premiere, Faust by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893).

Alwina Valleria (Oct. 12, 1848-Feb. 17, 1925) originated the role of Micaëla, Don José's childhood friend, who loves him. The American soprano sang Micaëla in nine of the season's 10 performances of Carmen. She had made her Met Opera debut Friday, Oct. 26, 1883, as Leonora in the first season's third premiere, Il Trovatore by Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Alwina Valleria shared the role with Ida Corani, who sang in the season's fifth performance (Jan. 19). Ida Corani had made her Met Opera debut as Enrichetta in the opening performance, Monday, Oct. 29, 1883, of the opera house's fourth premiere, I Puritani by 19th century Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini (Nov. 3, 1801-Sept. 23, 1835).

Giuseppe Del Puente (Jan. 30, 1841-May 25, 1900) sang opposite the title role as Escamillo, Don José's successor on Carmen's roster of bullfighter lovers. The Italian baritone appeared in all 10 performances. Giuseppe Del Puente had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Valentin in the opening season's opening premiere, Faust.

Ida Corani sang dual roles in Carmen. She appeared in her second role, as Carmen's companion, Frasquita, in the first four and the last five performances.

Ida Corani shared the role with Emily Lablache. Emilie Deméric-Lablache (Oct. 6, 1830-?), credited as Emily Lablache, sang Frasquita in the fifth (Jan. 19) performance while Ida Corani sang Micaëla in Alwina Valleria's absence. French mezzo-soprano-contralto Emily Lablache had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 5, as Flora in the opening season's sixth premiere, Verdi's La Traviata.

Louise Lablache (1855?-1926) sang Carmen's companion, Mercédès, in all 10 performances. Emily Lablache's appearance as Frasquita in the fifth performance placed her in the same performance as her daughter. French mezzo-soprano Louise Lablache had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Marthe in the inaugural season's first premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Amadeo Grazzi sang smuggler Remendado in all 10 performances. He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Normanno in the inaugural season's second premiere, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Baldassare Corsini appeared as smuggler Dancaïre in all 10 performances. He had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1883, as Laërte in the season's fifth premiere, Mignon by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864).

According to the Metropolitan Opera Archives Database (MetOpera Database), Achille Augier and Ludovico Contini shared the roles of Lieutenant Zuniga and Corporal Moralès. For the eighth (March 1) performance, however, MetOpera Database lists the singer of Moralès as "unknown."

Achille Augier sang Zuniga in the premiere (Jan. 5), third (Jan. 9), fourth (Jan. 12), fifth (Jan. 19) and eighth (March 1) performances. He sang Moralès in the second (Jan. 7), sixth (Jan. 26), seventh (Feb. 7), ninth (March 17) and 10th, closing (April 4) performances. Achille Augier had made his Met Opera debut Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1883, as Raimondo in the inaugural season's second premiere, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Ludovico Contini sang Moralès in the premiere (Jan. 5), third (Jan. 9), fourth (Jan. 12) and fifth (Jan. 19) performances. He sang Zuniga in the second (Jan. 7), sixth (Jan. 26), seventh (Feb. 7), ninth (March 17) and 10th, closing (April 4) performances. Ludovico Contini had made his Met Opera debut Monday, Oct. 22, 1883, as Wagner in the season's inaugural premiere, Gounod's Faust.

Malvina Cavalazzi (Cavallazzi) (ca. 1851/1862-1924) is credited for Dance for all 10 performances. The Italian ballet dancer and teacher, who was the Metropolitan Opera's first ballerina, had made her Met Opera debut Monday, Nov. 5, in the season's sixth premiere, Verdi's La Traviata.

The Metropolitan Opera's first production of Carmen was directed by Henry De Courtney Corani (ca. 1849-May 1905) and Mr. Abbiati. The production's set designers were Charles Fox, Jr., William Schaeffer, Gaspar Maeder (ca. 1840-Jan. 18, 1892) and Mr. Thompson. Henry Dazian (May 3, 1854-May 4, 1937) and D. Ascoli were the production's costume designers. All members of the production team had made their Met Opera debuts in the opera house's first production, Faust.

According to the MetOpera Database, Henry Eugene Abbey (June 27, 1846-Oct. 17, 1896), general manager of the Metropolitan Opera House, had expected at least 11 performances of Carmen, with a matinee scheduled for Saturday, April 12. The illnesses of title singer Zelia Trebelli (Nov. 12, 1836-Aug. 18, 1892) and of rostered substitutes Louise Lablache (1855?-1926), Marcella Sembrich (Feb. 15, 1858-Jan. 11, 1935) and Christine Nilsson (Aug. 20, 1843-Nov. 20, 1921), as well as the Europe-bound departure of Alwina Valleria, had necessitated the cancelled matinee of Carmen.

Carmen was staged as the 16th opera in the lineup of 20 operas in the Metropolitan Opera's first season, 1883-1884. Le Prophète, by German Jewish opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer (Sept. 5, 1791-May 2, 1864), succeeded Carmen as the 17th premiere in Met Opera's opening season.

The takeaways for Met Opera's premiere of Carmen are that the tragic opéra comique (comic opera) was staged as the 16th opera in Met Opera's first season, 1883-1884, and that title singer Zelia Trebelli made her last Met Opera appearance in the season's 10th and final performance of Carmen.

The Carmen lineage at the Metropolitan Opera traces back to Zelia Trebelli as the opera house's original Carmen: Met Opera Guild @MetOperaGuild, via Twitter July 2, 2020

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

The Carmen lineage at the Metropolitan Opera traces back to Zelia Trebelli as the opera house's original Carmen: Met Opera Guild @MetOperaGuild, via Twitter July 2, 2020, @ https://twitter.com/MetOperaGuild/status/1278790575697924096/photo/1
For further information:

Bernheimer, Martin. "The Management Regrets . . . But Is Sometimes Witness to History in the Making." Ravina Backstage Blog. April 11, 2016.
Available @ https://backstage.ravinia.org/posts/2016/8/11/the-management-regrets-but-is-sometimes-witness-to-history-i.html

“Debut: Cleofonte Campanini.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1070 Mignon {2} Matinee ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 11/3/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1070

"Debut: Giovanni Mirabella, Ida Corani." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID:1040 Metropolitan Opera Premiere I Puritani {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/29/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1040

Marriner, Derdriu. "Carmen Is the Feb. 2, 2019, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, Jan. 28, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/carmen-is-feb-2-2019-met-opera-saturday.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Carmen Is the Feb. 11, 2017, Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, Feb. 6, 2017.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/02/carmen-is-feb-11-2017-metropolitan.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Carmen Was Franco Zeffirelli’s 10th Met Opera Production." Earth and Space News. Monday, Aug. 24, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/carmen-was-franco-zeffirellis-10th-met.html

Met Opera Guild @MetOperaGuild ."This month, we'll look back at some of the different looks of classic operas in our #OperaThroughTheYears series. Today we start with femme fatale #Carmen, as portrayed by: #ZeliaTrebelli #GeraldineFarrar #RosaPonselle #RegineCrespin #DenyceGraves #AnitaRachvelishvili #TBT." Twitter. July 2, 2020.
Available @ https://twitter.com/MetOperaGuild/status/1278790575697924096/photo/1

The Metropolitan Opera Guild @metropolitanoperaguild. "This month, we will be taking a look back at some of the different looks of classic operas in our #OperaThroughTheYears series. Today we start with our favorite femme fatale Carmen, as portrayed by: Zelia Trebelli (1884) Geraldine Farrar (1914) Rosa Ponselle (1935) Régine Crespin (1975) Denyce Graves (2005) Anita Rachvelishvili (2012) #TBT #Carmen #Bizet #ZeliaTrebelli #GeraldineFarrar #RosaPonselle #RegineCrespin #DenyceGraves #AnitaRachvelishvili." Facebook. July 2, 2020.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/metropolitanoperaguild/photos/a.10150144873997754/10158843373827754/

The Metropolitan Opera Guild @metropolitanoperaguild. "The first performance of CARMEN at the Metropolitan Opera House was on January 9, 1884 -- but this was actually the third time the company had performed the opera! Can you name the other location(s) where the Met had previously performed CARMEN? #TriviaTuesday (Hint: Both performances took place less than a week before the NYC debut.)." Facebook. July 7, 2015.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/metropolitanoperaguild/photos/a.10150144873997754/10153527934582754/

"Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Carmen.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1560 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Carmen {1} Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts: 01/5/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1560

"Mr. Abbey at His Wit's End; The Difficulties That Prevented His Matinee Yesterday." The New York Times, Sunday, April 13, 1884.
Available @ https://www.nytimes.com/1884/04/13/archives/mr-abbey-at-his-wits-end-the-difficulties-that-prevented-his.html