The New York herald., 1869-09-06
o BIT RY
Ferdinand PaIruo.

his residence In this city In the eighfynth year OF
his age. To many readers OF the HERALD his name
VIII appear strange for to the present generation he
was comparatively unknown. But to the old citi-
zens OF New York--th0se who were young men
twenty-five years ago-and to the theatrical profes-
sion In general the mention OF his death will awaken
"reminiscences OF those "good old days" OF New
York, when the Ravel family were the sensation at
Nlblos' and before the era Of French opera oouGs
and almost nude English sensational drama.
HIS CAREER.
Ferdinand PalmO was born In Naples during the
year 1884. OF respectable parents his father being
an oil merchant in his native city. When about
twenty-six years OF age he arrived in Richmond,
Va. ON board the brig Flambeau ana Immediately
went into business there dealer in naval stores.
He remained in Virginia some six years, during
which he married Anna Thorpe, the daughter OF a
Virginia farmer. In 1916 he removed to New York
and opened confectionery establishment on the
corner OF Broadway and Chambers street, but does
not appear to have continued the business for any
length Of time. He, however, prospered in
MS pecuniary affairs until the outbreak
OF the cholera In 1882, when, during the
course OF few weeks, he lost $4,000.
Mr.. Palmo now returned to Richmond, alter
selling out his store, and remained there for some
time, when he came back to New York, where he
reopened mis- confectionery establishment. this time
on Broadway, near1Walker street. Great success
attended his Efforts and after realizing large
amount, he temporarily retired from business and
went to Naples for the purpose Of visiting his sister,
who was In convent there. Returning co
New York. after o lapse OF nine months, he
opened store on Howard street, making
a considerable sum OF money during
period OF seven years, when he again went to
Europe. He seems to nave been of restless disp0-
sition never being content with engaging In the
same pursuit for any considerable length OF time.
His second tour to Europe lasted for two years. and
upon coming back to this city he opened q cafe on
enterprise was as marked as that which had attended
his previous Efforts But the same restlessness he
had exhibited IN his previous undertakings attended
him In this enterprise While on the road to amas
sing considerable fortune he sold out the
and taking his wife with him, went to Naples, Paris
some months.
THE LOSS OF HIS FORTUNE AND ITS RECOVERY.
@ I %e o Mr. e %Hs soras Gs maa
money with comparative ease, and his progress
towards the possession OF wealth was the subject Of
his European tour the earnings OF years were des'
tined to be swept away. lie purchased and opened
ns s S and street qF I wASs ss
however howe he ef learned % that there was hss mort:
Tse a S the ne o. Which n he
was lorecosed and the seizure and sale OF the store
was the beginning OF his Ill fortune. Disheartened
by the severe losses he was called upon to sustain,
he sold out his stock OF goods ION crcdit TO coun.
tryman OF his. who with rare neartlessness sold
everything aud never paid cent to Mr. Palmo.
SECOND FoRruNE MADE
The unfortunate gentleman, reduced almost to
poverty was now compelled to seek his friends for
These generously aided him II opening
Secpsa e Snsa consts oca TsIs nUm Mas
about the year 1899 or lS4O We are not certain OF
toned He was very successful in this enterprise,
and, during the three years that he continued 1t,
very nearly, II not fully, recovered all that he had
previously lost At this place, too II we are not mis-
taken, patronage was influenced and popularity
attained by means Of singing and dancing, reg
company. Although In reality concert saloon, the
establishment must not be conf0unded with the vile
resorts OF the present day known BY the same name.
1t conducted most respectable basis; its pa.
irons were gentlemen OF good standing and prOmn.
ence In society and the performers were oil! proper
characters. The saloon did not rank among the regu-
lar places of amusement, but 1t was popular and
fav0rite resort, and the proprietor was respected
Here were to be met many OF the then or subse-
quenty famous men OF New York-the politicians
and literatl OF Gotham.
HIS ITALIAN OPERA ENTERPRISE.
For several years previous to 1874 efforts had been
made to establish Italian opera in the city the
attained. Nothing, however, except Of a spasmodic
nature, had been energeticaly attempted and perse
vered in. Stroing companies OF second and third
rate French and Italian artists visited New York at
Intervals but beyond their occasional appearance
The metropolis was absolutely destitute OF Italian
citizen to erect place OF amusement to be specially
designed @ for itaIan opera: TO tins appeal P. al Mr.
erected the theatre known at first Palmos Opera
House and afterwards as Burtons theatre. This
building was afterwards sold to the United States
government, and Is now, as we stated BEFORE used
by the United States courts. For the purpose or
carrying out his new enterprise Mr. PalmO aban.
doned the saloon business and devoted his entire
time and attention to the opera Early in 1S44 the
ances s and on the night Of February q g 1sa4, the
season opened with 'Il Puritani." The following
was the cast
Ey5e; siI Seorss. ssuS1 Js,Is,ns BSrshSss
Lord Arthur talbot Sisnor Psposai.
onr,s,,a ord MnoH of r:rc ssnNr MAYER
Sir Bruno Noberton.. .sgnor Albertazz
yattellina was the director OF the company ana
Rapeltl leader Of the orchestra. AT first the per.
were 80 enormous that the manager lost
money: He had invested every dollar ne
first time that any individual had oYerod
In the capacity OF sole manager OF Italian opera
in New York and Mr.. Palmo did his best TO achieve
success. He produced all the best operas OF the
time, including "Lucretia Borgia," ''Semlramisn
the '.Barber Of seven and Others Of like popular
For three seasons he struggled with adverse fortune
and finally succumbed. Ills expenses were enor.
keep the enterprise going. Occasionally the
nl'l'ss IN advance 50 Wrecked was he ' pI his
the opera business and was never after able to en-
gage in 1t. He one OF the pioneers in the work
Of establishing Italian opera in New YORK, and he
failed even as every one OF his successors IN the like
work have since failed.
CLOSE OF HIS CAREER IN COMPARATIVE POVERTY
With the assistance Of some friends Mr.. Palmo
opened hotel at Boomingdale alter retiring from
the opera business. He kept 1t for nine months,
when he returned to New FORK and opened q confec.
tIonery store on Broadway, and after strug-
Cling for some time failed. lie then started
his former cafe in Broadway, near Duane street, and
during the three years he renamed there cleared
$4,000. One night burglars broke into his apart.
ments, corner OF White street and Broadway, and
stole all his money and jewery. This blow utterly
ruined him. He never after engaged In business.
lie retired into private life IN comparative poverty,
heartbroken by his misfortunes. He never had
children, but adopted daughter some years ago.
His wife died In 1866, and he, being very DID, began
to fail I'm health last January. few
weeks back he was confined TO bed, and after nger-
ing hopeless OF recovery, died at an early hour yes
terday morning. HIS funeral Will take place on
Wednesday next from his late residence, No. 1l3
East Eleventh street, at two O'Clock.