Max Maretzek American opera impresario, conductor and composer Date of Birth: 28.06.1821 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Paris and London
3. New York Debut
4. Eccentric Management
5. Resurgence and Competition
6. Retirement and Legacy
7. Later Years
8. Evaluation

Early Life and Education

Max Maretzek, an American operatic impressario, conductor, and composer of Czech descent, was born in Brno. He studied music in Vienna and completed his opera, "Hamlet," at the age of 19.

Paris and London

In the 1840s, Maretzek worked in Paris, where he befriended Hector Berlioz and Giacomo Meyerbeer. He subsequently became the chorus master of the Covent Garden Theatre in London.

New York Debut

Maretzek settled in the United States in 1848 and became the conductor and general manager of the New York opera house for a decade. He toured with the company to Mexico and Cuba.

Eccentric Management

Despite having limited resources, Maretzek managed to attract prominent soloists such as Angelina Bosio, Henriette Sontag, and Marietta Alboni. Known for his dictatorial leadership, he gained notoriety for eccentric outbursts, such as firing his entire orchestra a day before the premiere of Donizetti's "Maria di Rohan."

Resurgence and Competition

After working in Philadelphia from 1858 to 1860, Maretzek returned to New York and rebuilt the burnt-down theater in 1867. He reached the peak of his career in 1872-1873, assembling a stellar cast that included Pauline Lucca, Clara Louise Kellogg, Ilma di Murska, and Enrico Tamberlik. However, competition from the Strakosch brothers intensified, driving up the fees of leading singers to astronomical heights.

Retirement and Legacy

In 1875, Maretzek retired after introducing over 20 operas to the United States, including Verdi's "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," "La Forza del Destino," and "Il Trovatore," and Meyerbeer's "L'Africaine" and "Le Prophète."

Later Years

Maretzek became a music teacher, completed his opera "Sleepy Hollow," and conducted it in its premiere in 1879. In 1883, he returned to conducting as a guest conductor at a New York theater. He died in Pleasant Plains, Staten Island, in 1889.

Evaluation

Renowned American music critic Harold Schonberg praised Maretzek as "the Sol Hurok of his day," stating, "No other impresario could match the indomitable Maretzek in the number of new works and new 'stars' brought to America." Maretzek's two autobiographical books, "Crochets and Quavers" (1855) and "Sharps and Flats" (1890), provide insights into his colorful life.