Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Maretzek, Max

MARETZEK, Max, opera-manager, b. in Brunn, Austria, 28 June, 1821; d. on Staten Island, 14 May, 1897. He was educated in that city, and later pursued a course of musical training under the noted chapel-master, I. X. Seyfried. Some years afterward he became connected with the Italian opera in London as chorus-master, and within that time wrote the music of several dances and ballets. He came to New York city in 1848, where he began his career as leader of the orchestra at the Italian opera. Of this establishment he soon became manager, continuing as such for many years at the Astor place and Grand opera-houses, and the Academy of music, with occasional visits to other cities, Cuba and Mexico. Maretzek's administration was characterized by the production of many novelties, and the introduction of some native vocalists that have since become famous. He also established sundry reforms, and was the one impresario that, for a term of years, succeeded in placing Italian opera on an enduring and satisfactory footing. Maretzek wrote two operas, “Hamlet” and “Sleepy Hollow.” The first was produced in Germany, the second in this country. He had been a frequent contributor of musical sketches to American, French, and German periodicals, and had published “Crotchets and Quavers,” a volume of operatic reminiscences (New York, 1858).