cover image Emperors of Song: Three Great Impresarios

Emperors of Song: Three Great Impresarios

Freddie Stockdale, F. M. Stockdale. John Murray Publishers, $35 (224pp) ISBN 978-0-7195-5702-6

When asked what he thought of the opera business, Oscar Hammerstein I exclaimed ""Opera's not a business. It's a disease."" That statement could just as well have been made by Colonel James Mapleson or John Christie, the other impassioned impresarios profiled in this engaging book. Mapleson (1830-1901) was the consummate showman, adept at calming the tantrums of temperamental divas. After the failure of a project to build a National Opera House in London, he came to America and continued his grandiose schemes, which included a performance by Adelina Patti in the 12,000-seat Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Many of his projects failed to pan out, and he died penniless. Hammerstein (1846-1919), the grandfather of the famous Broadway composer, used revenues from various business ventures to build 17 opera houses. Although his stars included Melba, Caruso and Tetrazzini, he, too, always teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. Last-minute rescues by his long-suffering sons only led to further expensive undertakings. By the time he died, all his projects had failed, and only one of his opera houses remains standing today--as a church. Christie (1882-1962), less flamboyant but equally obsessed, used inherited money and a large estate to establish a private opera festival. He, however, managed his enterprise soundly, and the Glyndebourne Festival thrives. Stockdale (Figaro Here, Figaro There) relies heavily on previously published material, but his account of these colorful men who would stop at nothing to fuel their mania for opera is thoroughly entertaining. Photos. (Jan.)