Amherst Webber (Cannes, 1867 - 1946)
Program for Fiorella, Fenway Court, 23 April 1906
Ink on paper, 22.54 x 17.46 cm (8 7/8 x 6 7/8 in.)
This is a handwritten program for “Fiorella.” The paper is a vertical rectangle and has some reddish-brown age marks and slightly ragged edges, and the writing is in clear cursive and black ink. The program is in five sections taking up the whole page. At the top center is written “Fenway Court” and beneath it “April 23rd 1906.” The second section is titled “Fiorella” and subtitled “Comedie Lyrique en un acte,” both centered, with credits beneath for the “Poeme de Victorien Sardou et P.B. Gheusi” and “Musique de Amherst Webber.” The third section begins above the mid-line with a centered title “Personnages” and listed beneath, flush left, the characters and, flush right, their portrayers; dotted lines connect each pairing. The fourth section, nearing the bottom, is separated by a centered line drawn under the last character pairing, and says “La scène se passe dans le palais de Don Augostin à Venise au XVIe siećle.” The final section, at the bottom edge, and also separated from the section above by a centered drawn line, is a credit for the “Chef Orchestra,” with a dotted line leading to the name “M Zach”.
Yellow Room
Commentary
British composer Amherst Webber, who made a living as an accompanist and vocal coach, presented the one-act opera “Fiorella” at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1906. Gardner took great pride in supporting original works and hosting premier performances at the museum. Gardner saved this program as a souvenir for her collection of musical manuscripts and memorabilia, ensuring that Webber’s minor legacy would not be lost to time.