We go back in time when opera was performed at the Auditorium Theatre from the beginning of the twentieth century to the opening of the Civic Opera House in 1929. Some of the greatest stars of their time will be heard such as Mary Garden, Tito Schipa, Edith Mason, Feodor Chaliapin, Amelita Galli‐Curci and Pol Plançon.
Early Twentieth Century Opera in Chicago
Chicago Auditorium Building, exterior from Michigan Avenue. ca. 1890.
Playlist
“Serenade” from Faust by Charles Gounod
Pol Plançon, bass; piano accompaniment
(New York 1904. ROMOPHONE 82001‐2 A)
“Caro nome” from Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
Amelita Galli‐Curci, soprano; Orchestra; Josef Pasternack, conductor
(New Jersey 1916. ROMOPHONE 81003‐2 A)
“Card Song” from Carmen by Georges Bizet
Mary Garden, soprano; Orchestra; Nathaniel Shilkret, conductor
(New York 1929. ROMOPHONE 81008‐2)
“Il sogno” and “Chiudo gli ochhi” from Manon by Jules Massenet
Tito Schipa, tenor; Victor Orchestra; Josef Pasternack, conductor
(New Jersey 1922. ROMOPHONE 82014‐2 A)
“Un bel dì” from Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini
Edith Mason, soprano; Orchestra; Frank Black, conductor
(Chicago 1925. ROMOPHON 81009‐2)
“Ave signor” from Mefistofele by Arrigo Boito
Feodor Chaliapin, bass; Orchestra
(London 1927. NIMBUS NI 7823)