TY - BOOK AU - Mapleson,James Henry TI - The Mapleson Memoirs, 1848-1888, vol II AV - ML PY - 2011/// CY - Salt Lake City, UT PB - Project Gutenberg KW - Opera -- England -- London KW - Opera -- United States N1 - Release date is 2011-05-24; Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive); Original publication data not identified N2 - "The Mapleson Memoirs, 1848-1888, vol II" by James Henry Mapleson is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The memoirs detail the personal and professional experiences of the author in the operatic world, primarily focusing on his interactions with notable figures such as the famed soprano Adelina Patti. Throughout the memoir, Mapleson provides a behind-the-scenes look at the opera industry, including the challenges of managing rival companies, artist engagements, and the financial intricacies that accompany theatrical productions. The opening of the memoir introduces the turmoil faced by Mapleson following his severed ties with the Royal Italian Opera Company, as they refuse to honor his contracts with Patti and other artists. Despite this setback, he expresses determination to reclaim his position in the opera scene, which includes recruiting a talented cast for his upcoming performances in America. The narrative reveals Mapleson's struggles against rival opera houses, the complexities of handling temperamental prima donnas, and the chaos surrounding ticket sales and audience reactions—setting the stage for the vivid interplay of art and commerce that defines the operatic world. (This is an automatically generated summary.) UR - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36144 ER -