Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-25
Waterville Waiting
For "Impressario"
To Be Given Feb. Is

All of the Waterville music lovers
are anXiously waiting for the even
ing of Feb. Is when the famous
musical comedy, the 'Impressario"
Will be given at the City Opera
House under the auspices of the
Chamber Of Commerce. In order
that large number may avail
themselves of the opportunity of this
music treat the Chamber of Com
mcrce will have the price of the
tickets down as low as possible, as
1t is not a money making proposition
but merely to give the local citizens
a taste of real music by real artists.
William Wade Henhaw. president
and general manager of the Society
OF American Singers, supported by
an exceptional all-star cast. The
musical rendition is created under
the direction of Sam Frankie The
opera is staged, mounted and pro-
duced under the personal direction
of Mr.. Renshaw. The cast of char
acters is as follows: Emanuel
Schickaneder, Percy Hemus: Philip,
Francis Tyler: Mozart. Thomas Nc
Granular: Madame Hofer. Hazel
huntington: Mile. Dorothea Chlic.
Lottice Howell: accompanist to
oiduN SIdh Gil.
The story of 1.-The Impressario" is
based upon an historical episode,
and the characters represented are
from real life. In 1856 Emanuel
Schickaneder. musician. singer, actor
and also the general manager of the
Vienna Opera House. engaged MOI
art. the great composer. to compose
the music for new fantastic opera.
-
Schickaneder. as librettist, was writ
ing and which. although the opera
was not Vet finished, the company
was already rehearsing on the stage
OF the opera house. Mozart's sister
ln-law. Madame Hofcr. was engaged
as the Prima Dona Assoluta at the
opera, and feeling her position secure
on account of her relation to Mozart,
she amused herself by making life
miserable for Schickaneder, through
her prima donna tantrums. There
were two prma donna roles in the
sew opera, Queen of the Night" and
"Pamina." both requiring soloratura
sopranos of the first water, which
made it necessary for Schickaneder
to engage a second prima donna to
sing the role of "Pamina," to which
Madame Hotter seriously objected.
Since the Empress had set the fash
ion to favor Italian singers and the
Italian language. Schickanedcr de-
tcrmined upon making a clever bust
ness stroke by engaging an Italian
for the role. and set about cores
ponding with .Signorian Cavallieri of
Milan. for the post. Philip. Schick-
aneder's nephew, the second bari
tone of the opera house. had a
sweetheart who was the leading
soprano of the opera at the little
town of Linz. but who refused to
marry him until she could make a
career, and in order to hasten it,
Philip sought to get his uncle to en-
gage her at Vienna. This Schicll-
aneder would not do, as he would
not have a prima donna niece jn-law
in his play. He had troubles enough
without that. Philip. however, en-
listed the assistance of Mozart. who
vas always ready to come to the
aid of a pretty girl. and by passing
off his ffnancce as the "Cavalliere"
from Milan. secured an audience for
her with his uncle, who, delighted
with her singing. fastened to get her
name to contract. not dreaming
until it wa stoo late, that he had
had been hoodwinked into signing a
hard and fast contract with Philips
fiancec. Mile Dorothea Uhlic, singer
Of Linz.