Theatre Entrepreneurs and Opera Artists Travelling the Habsburg Monarchy in the Latter Half of the 19th Century as Shown on the Example of the Olomouc Opera Scene
Theatre Entrepreneurs and Opera Artists Travelling the Habsburg Monarchy in the Latter Half of the 19th Century as Shown on the Example of the Olomouc Opera Scene

Summary/Abstract: The Olomouc opera stage (as was, after all, true for all of those in Austria) was part of a network of provincial theatres, characterised by constant changes in membership. It was typical that, following the end of a season, theatre director would go to Vienna and other larger cultural centres to seek new talented singers. Another decisive factor in getting a contract was the successfulness of the artists' guest performances throughout the season. For small theatres, it was advantageous to establish contracts mainly with talented newcomers who had lower demands in terms of their salaries. Operating a successful theatre business was largely connected with the ability of directors to recognise the latent abilities of inexperienced singers. During certain periods, the German municipal theatre in Olomouc was a seedbed of future stars, helping kick off their glamorous careers. However, national disputes, the hostility of city council members, fires, and epidemics as well as the fickle tastes of the audience could thwart the efforts of even the most experienced theatre entrepreneur and make them decide to try their chances elsewhere. The aim of this paper is to document, through several examples of singers or directors, the usual direction of artistic mobility in Central Europe in the 19th and early 20th century.

• Details
• Contents