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Strakosch, Moritz

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

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Strakosch, Alexander

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Austrian pianist, singer, and impresario; born at Brünn, Austria, 1825; died at Paris Oct. 9, 1887. He made his first appearance in public at the age of eleven, when he played a concerto by Hummel at a concert given in his native town. His success was so marked that his father allowed him to enter upon an artistic career, and during the following years he made tours through Germany, afterward going to Italy to complete his education in vocal music. About 1848 he took a trip to Paris, but upon the outbreak of the revolution went to America, where he met Salvator Patti. In 1850 he married Amelia, the sister of Adelina and Carlotta Patti. From her eighth to her eleventh year Adelina Patti traveled with Strakosch, singing in concerts. In 1859 Strakosch became director of the Italian opera in New York, where he arranged for the début of Patti (Nov. 24, 1859). In consequence of the great success which she achieved under his management he received offers from managers in various parts of the world; and in 1870 he made a contract with Christine Nilsson engaging her to sing in concerts in America, and promising her 5,000 francs for every performance at which the receipts exceeded 20,000 francs. This enterprise was attended with pronounced success, and in 1874 Strakosch had another successful season in America with Nilsson and Campanini. It was Strakosch also who first introduced Clara Louise Kellogg to the London public. His opera "Giovanni di Napoli" was produced in New York, and he wrote also salon pieces and other music for pianoforte.