Théâtre d'Orléans
Encyclopedia
The Théâtre d'Orléans was a theater in New Orleans, first opened in November, 1809. This marked the beginning of continuous French opera anddrama throughout the nineteenth century. The plans for the Theater were drawn up by Louis Tabary, a refugee from the French colony of Saint-Domingue
. After a fire, it was rebuilt and opened in 1817 led by another emigre from Saint-Domingue
, John Davis. It housed the French Opera until 1859. Davis became one of the major figures in French theatre in New Orleans.
Under the leadership of Davis, and then his son, Pierre, the Théâtre presented shows from autumn through the spring, ending only when the heat and humidity forced it. Unable to perform during the summer months, John Davis came up with a way to continue to make money even during the summer. The Théâtre sent touring groups to the Northeastern United states, beginning in 1827, bringing non-English operas to many places for the first time.
The Théâtre soon became part of a rivalry with the Camp Street Theatre, run by James Caldwell
and founded in 1824; Camp Street focused on English operas. In 1835, the Théâtre produced Robert le diable
, but was upstaged by a successful production of an English adaptation by Caldwell's Camp Street Theatre. Nevertheless, the Théâtre d'Orléans remained the dominant venue in New Orleans during the pre-Civil War period. Later that year, the Camp Street Theatre opened a new facility, the St. Charles Theatre, and hired opera companies from Havana to perform Italian opera
. The rivalry ended in 1842, when a fire destroyed both Caldwell's St. Charles Theatre and his New American Theatre.
With Caldwell's competition out of the way, the Théâtre d'Orléans entered a period of dominance in New Orleans' cultural life. It staged many American premieres, and featured international stars like the German soprano
Henriette Sontag
and the Italian Erminia Frezzolini (1818–1884). It was replaced by the French Opera House
in 1859.
Saint-Domingue
The labour for these plantations was provided by an estimated 790,000 African slaves . Between 1764 and 1771, the average annual importation of slaves varied between 10,000-15,000; by 1786 it was about 28,000, and from 1787 onward, the colony received more than 40,000 slaves a year...
. After a fire, it was rebuilt and opened in 1817 led by another emigre from Saint-Domingue
Saint-Domingue
The labour for these plantations was provided by an estimated 790,000 African slaves . Between 1764 and 1771, the average annual importation of slaves varied between 10,000-15,000; by 1786 it was about 28,000, and from 1787 onward, the colony received more than 40,000 slaves a year...
, John Davis. It housed the French Opera until 1859. Davis became one of the major figures in French theatre in New Orleans.
Under the leadership of Davis, and then his son, Pierre, the Théâtre presented shows from autumn through the spring, ending only when the heat and humidity forced it. Unable to perform during the summer months, John Davis came up with a way to continue to make money even during the summer. The Théâtre sent touring groups to the Northeastern United states, beginning in 1827, bringing non-English operas to many places for the first time.
The Théâtre soon became part of a rivalry with the Camp Street Theatre, run by James Caldwell
James Caldwell
The Reverend James Caldwell was a clergyman who played a prominent part in the American Revolution.He was born in Cub Creek in Charlotte County, Virginia, the seventh son of John and Margaret Caldwell, who were Scots-Irish settlers...
and founded in 1824; Camp Street focused on English operas. In 1835, the Théâtre produced Robert le diable
Robert le diable (opera)
Robert le diable is an opera by Giacomo Meyerbeer, often regarded as the first grand opera. The libretto was written by Eugène Scribe and Casimir Delavigne and has little connection to the medieval legend of Robert the Devil. Originally planned as a three-act opéra comique, "Meyerbeer persuaded...
, but was upstaged by a successful production of an English adaptation by Caldwell's Camp Street Theatre. Nevertheless, the Théâtre d'Orléans remained the dominant venue in New Orleans during the pre-Civil War period. Later that year, the Camp Street Theatre opened a new facility, the St. Charles Theatre, and hired opera companies from Havana to perform Italian opera
Italian opera
Italian opera is both the art of opera in Italy and opera in the Italian language. Opera was born in Italy around the year 1600 and Italian opera has continued to play a dominant role in the history of the form until the present day. Many famous operas in Italian were written by foreign composers,...
. The rivalry ended in 1842, when a fire destroyed both Caldwell's St. Charles Theatre and his New American Theatre.
With Caldwell's competition out of the way, the Théâtre d'Orléans entered a period of dominance in New Orleans' cultural life. It staged many American premieres, and featured international stars like the German soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Henriette Sontag
Henriette Sontag
Henriette Sontag was a German operatic soprano of great international renown. She possessed a sweet-toned, lyrical voice and was a brilliant exponent of florid singing.-Life:...
and the Italian Erminia Frezzolini (1818–1884). It was replaced by the French Opera House
French Opera House
The French Opera House was an opera house in New Orleans. It was one of the city's landmarks from its opening in 1859 until it was destroyed by fire in 1919...
in 1859.
American premieres
The following American premieres took place in the Théâtre d'Orléans:- 1836: Le postillon de LonjumeauLe postillon de LonjumeauLe postillon de Lonjumeau is an opéra-comique in three acts by Adolphe Adam to a French libretto by 'Adolphe de Leuven' and 'Brunswick' ....
by Adolphe AdamAdolphe AdamAdolphe Charles Adam was a French composer and music critic. A prolific composer of operas and ballets, he is best known today for his ballets Giselle and Le corsaire , his operas Le postillon de Lonjumeau , Le toréador and Si j'étais roi , and his Christmas...