An 1859 Letter by Gustavus Hall, a rising American Baritone, explaining his decision to Study Opera under Domenico Scafati in Italy

Naples, Italy, 1859. Very Good. ALS. Quarto bifolium, 1p. Napoli, December 3, 1859. Folded with postmark ink stamps and postal delivery note "per Liverpool" in manuscript. The upper right corner is partly creased, else near fine. In this letter to his father, the confident young Bostonian Gustavus Hall explains his decision to abandon college and become an opera singer, noting that he has secured work as a teacher, and that he will be studying under two Italian masters:

"I wrote to you weeks ago giving you my reasons why I could not enter the college! I now wish to explain what I am doing. I have got Maestro [Domenico] Scafati & I have also a master of the Italian language & I have placed myself at the disposition of Messrs. Rogers Bros & Co. I have told them all my money shall be placed in their hands & I will act under their disposition. As it is now, I draw checks upon them for my master of music & Italian, for my house & piano rent & receive about $1.75 per week for my meals & no other money. From time to time you shall receive word from Messrs. Rogers Bros & Co. of my progress, as they are acquainted with my teaching - I am, thank the Lord at work at last! ... You can ask Mr. Bendclari about Scafati! I think he is acquainted with him! I sent you per U.S. Steamer *Wabash* to New York & per Adam's Ex to Boston an Opera for Mr. Harwood - at Chickerings [Chickering & Sons] - I received it & sent it in such a hurry that I had no time to write any note to go inside of it!"

Domenico Scafati was a prominent teacher who had trained under the celebrated castrato, Girolamo Crescentini. Scafati instructed a number of English performers at his studio in Naples and later Milan, including the famous Scottish baritone Andrew Black. Gustavus Hall went on to have a long and successful career, first performing with the celebrated Parepa-Rosa English Opera Company during its U.S. tour in the late 1860s. He later joined the Max Strakosch Italian Opera Company based in Manhattan (one of the first important companies in the United States), the Comley & Barton Opera Company (also based in New York), and the Emma Juch Grand English Opera Company.

A rare, first-hand glimpse into the life of an early American singer who performed for New York's two most important Opera companies.