Collections Item Detail
Cabinet photo of young boy in Teutonic costume; imprinted: "Alvary, Jr., as Siegfried." Dimmlers, Hoboken, n.d., ca. 1880-1891.
Photograph
Cabinet photograph of Max Alvary, Jr. posed in German opera costume; imprinted: "Alvary, Jr., as Siegfried."
Photograph issued by Dimmers' Photo Studio, 406 Washington St. [old number], between 10th and 11th Streets, Hoboken. No date, circa 1887-1889. 4-1/4" x 6-1/2" high.
The three to five year old boy was a son (one of nine children) of the noted Wagnerian operatic tenor, Max Alvary (1858-1898), who performed the role of Siegfried from 1887-1889 at The Metropolitan Opera in New York and on tour in several major cities. He performed the title role in the American premiere of "Siegfried" on November 9, 1887; the Met offered the first Ring (Der Ring des Nibelungen) cycle in the Americas in March of 1889 where Alvary also performed. In all, Alvary performed Siegfried twenty times in New York. While acclaimed for his Wagner roles, he also performed other roles at the Met and other places from circa 1885-1896
Alvary was adored by female fans and thronged by them. This item would be an example of a souvenir of a cultural event or memorabilia collected regarding a celebrity performer. Whether his son was an actual performer is not stated or been determined. Note: a copy of this photo is in the archives of the Metropolitan Opera.
Birthdate of Alvary, Junior, has not been found.
The photographer, Theodore Dimmers, was based in New York for 21 years before coming to Hoboken (stated on back; date when established here has not been determined) and seems to have had the opportunity to photograph the young boy in costume, possibly on the set of the opera in New York City. As a significant number of Hoboken residents in this era were Germans or of German heritage, the subject of this image and the music associated with it would have been of topical interest to them.
Note: Dimmers address is an old street number prior to 1892. It would be 1018 Washington St. today.
2009.001.0023
2009.001
Purchase
Purchase
Museum Collections.
Dimmers Photo Studio
1887 - 1889
New York City/Hoboken
Date: 1887-1889
4 in
6 in
Good
Original or Copy: Original Status: Lost Status By: dw Status Date: 2009-10-05