Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-05-22
LONG MADE MUSIC.
Death of Famous Impressario
Max Maretzek.
"Fathcr Kemp of Old Folks Con.
cert Fame Gone.

NEW YORK. May 2O-Max Marctzek, one
OF the most famous of impressarios. is dead
al his home on Staten Island aged 10 years.
lie was born at Brunn. Morayia. He pro-
duced his opera 'Ham. ~ at the age of
~, and afterward confessed that he felt
ashamed of the work, though he con-
Quoted It in four cities. AS young man
he nat the honor Of becoming ac-
qnaintel with Meycrbeer. Berlioz. Chopin.
List and Heine. In lSii he was appointed
assistant to Balfc, director of Her Majesty's
theatre. He also secured Jenny Lind for a
series Of concerts. In lS4S he came to the
United States, and from 1s49 to 1878 was
manager of Italian opera in New York, Cuba
and Mexico. 1t was under his management
that such singers rs Sontag, Patti, Albani,
Nilsson, Lucca, Lagrange, Hauk, Cary
and lima Di Mursia were first heard
here. and that it was he who first con-
Quoted in New York 1.-The Prophet" al
Trovatore. LA Traviata," Faust" ''Rigo-
letto, "Mignon, 1.-The Jewess," and many
other operas. Besides Hamlet" he wrote
another opera. 1.-The Sleepy Hollow" as
well as chamber and orchestral music, piano
pieces and songs. In recent years he had
led quiet life, giving lessons and public
readings.
CHARLESTOWN. Mass, May 2O-Robert
ii. Kemp. commonly known in every Eng
lish speaking country, rs Father Kemp"
has just died here at the Old Mems Home.
For the past five years he had been helpless
from pataysis. He was 10 years II months
and % days old. He was born at Welheet
June 20, 1870. He made several voyages rs
sailor boy. At the age of IA he came to
Boston, where he found employment in n
shoe store. He afterward became a partner in
the establishment. and continued in business
several years. In 1854 he moved with his
mi IN Rnn md hnr IA
his first appearance in public as "Father
Kemp" Mr.. and Mrs. Kemp were musical
people. and chorus was formed to practice
the better class of choral music. But it was
not popular with tho people, and old songs
and hymn tunes were substituted. Mrs.
Kemp conceived the plan Of giving
concerts, the program to be made
the performers to be arrayed in the costumes
Of the period when such music was in vogue.
Tho first public performance was given in
Reading, the audience filling the hall to
sutfocation. Mrs. Kemp appeared then and
ever afterwards as Martha Washington. The
people of Boston soon heard OF the
success of the concerts and wanted an
opportunity to witness one, and SO ar
rangements were made to give per-
Torrance in fremont Temple. The induce
ments offered by FIR. Kemp to his Reading
chorus to come to Boston were their fares
both ways and supper. Some 800 people
accepted the terms among them Il. i. APP
Pleton, the oldest organ builder in tho
country. The party came from the depot
in costume in 20 omnibuses, chartered
for the occasion, and created quite
a furore as they passed through the
streets. The concert was success, and
sixty more were given in fremont Temple
at different times. Myron b. Whitney, the
since famous basso, Joined the troupe here.
From Boston the troupe, limited to thirty
two, made trips to Providence, New Haven
and New York, giving the first concert ever
heard in Cooper Institute. After u prosper
GUS western tour Father Kemp decided,
in 1861, to take his troupe abroad,
and to IL. G. Jarrett, afterwari
connected with Mr.. Palmer in theatrical
enterprises, was given tho management.
The tri p was not a financial success although
no money was lost In 1870 FIR. Kemp deter
mined to settle down once more to the
peaceful pursuit of selling boots and shoes
in Boston and the last 81 years Of his life
were not marked by any extraordinary event.
About Is years ago his life was saddcned by
tho death of his wife, who had been his CON
slant companion through all his varied and
eventful concert experiences. He was
member of the old Boston fire department,
having joined in 1913. At the funeral "Auld
Lang Sync" and Homeland" two OF "Fr.
Kemp's' favorte pieces, were sung. The
burial was at Mount Auburn, Cambridge,
Mass.