Italo Campanini Autograph for Martha Ford 1889 - Provenance John T. Ford Family For Sale

Italo Campanini 1889 Autograph Operatic Tenor for Martha Ford

4 x 6.75 inches. Provenance from the estate of MarthaFord– actress and daughter of John T. Ford.

Italian tenor Italo Campanini (1845–1896)established his career primarily in London before becoming the first leadingtenor at the Metropolitan Opera. He inaugurated the company’s new house onOctober 22, 1883, in the title role in Gounod’s Faust withChristine Nilsson as Marguerite. Campanini had previously appeared with theChicago Orchestra on subscription concerts as well as the ensemble’s firstperformances of Berlioz’s Damnation of Faust during theinaugural season.

Italo’s brother and conductor Cleofante Campaninimade his debut in this country in New York in 1888, leading the U.S. premiereperformances of Verdi’s Otello, with his brother later takingover the title role.

Campanini must have been under the weather during therun of Elijah in 1893. Charles A. Knorr (1852–1937) performedthe tenor solos on March 13, and the Chicago Tribune reviewfor the second performance reported “the indulgence of the audience was askedfor Sig. Campanini. The music of the part of Obadiah he sang carefully and withfairly good success.”

Catalog number PMK0006IC

Collector Biography: Martha Ford Gresham (John T.Ford daughter)

1872, Baltimore – 1923, Baltimore

Growing up in her father’s theaters gave Martha Forda rare vantage point and opportunity to rub elbows with the prominenttheatrical figures of the 19th and early 20th century. Evidence of thisproximity is present throughout her sub-collection. Martha’s autograph book,dedicated photographs and a poem composed by Edwin Booth about her as a toddlerdemonstrate convivial relationships with the stars. From her teen years,Martha’s father worked assiduously to develop and promote her career and fromat least 1894 Martha developed a repertory with renowned Shakespearian actorCreston Clarke (nephew of the Booth brothers). Martha received positive reviewsas Ophelia in Hamlet and as Juliet. From 1890, Martha became known for herrecitation of Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner”. The national anthemenjoyed an almost fanatical revival during this period, and she was asked torecite at fairs and festivals across the country, including the 1893 World’sColumbian Exposition in Chicago. Also in the 1890’s, possibly at Daly’s Theatrein New York, Martha met Herbert Gresham, a London-born stage manager and actor.After her marriage to Herbert, Martha seems to have retired from the stage toraise her three children.

Rare Nest is selling several hundred pieces related to JohnT. Ford, Ford’s Theater and Ford’s descendants who were figures in Americantheater from 1840 – 1970. See my store, subscribe and visit category“American Theater History” for much more.