Original Broadside from early English performances of "Figaro" and "Fidelio"

Original 1833 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane broadside from the first productions in England of Beethoven's "Fidelio" and Bellini's "Sonnambula." The program features two of the greatest singers in history in the roles most closely associate with them and records a truly remarkable period in opera history.


Broadside. Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, broadside promoting performances of Marriage of Figaro, Fidelio and Euryanthe, staring Madame Malibran, Madame Vestris, Madame Schroeder Devrient and Madame de Meric, and by special desire of Her Majesty, the Magic Flute, printed by S. G. Fairbrother, June 1833, slightly marginal chipping and a little tonning to lower edge, 34 x 21cm (13.5 x 8ins), framed and glazed.


Contralto/soprano, Maria Malibran, was creator of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda and works by Bellini and Mendelssohn and was one of the most celebrated singers in history, whose early death at the age of 28 contributed to her status as a figure of legend!


"All accounts agree on the dramatic powers of ‘The Queen of Tears’, as Schröder-Devrient was dubbed when observed actually to be weeping on stage. In an age when few singers matched their vocal prowess with equal dramatic skill, she impressed audiences especially with her interpretation of Leonore. In this role, Moscheles preferred her to Malibran, and many reports give details of the dramatic effect of her performance. Beethoven, who had rehearsed her, thanked her personally, and promised to write an opera for her."  (John Warrack, Grove Online) (11212)

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Poster

Opera

• Sold