THE D'OYLY CARTE OPERA COMPANY

Frederick Intropidi (cond., 1880-81)

[Born New York City 1855, died New York City 26 Jan 1908]

Frederick Intropidi's early career included conducting a juvenile opera company, working as chorus master for Her Majesty's Opera Company at New York's Academy of Music and for Jarrett & Palmer at Booth's Theatre.In October 1879 he was musical director for the Miniature Operetta Company when they performed H.M.S. Pinafore at Wood's Broadway Theatre.

When Gilbert & Sullivan came to America later that year, Intropidi was engaged as assistant to musical director Alfred Cellier for D'Oyly Carte's First American "Pinafore/Pirates" Company. Late in the tour of that Company (spring 1880), Intropidi took over as conductor. He was subsequently engaged as conductor for D'Oyly Carte's last American Pirates of Penzance Company which toured the eastern United States from September 1880 to February 1881.

He later wrote burlesques of Patience and Billee Taylor, both of which were produced at Tony Pastor's Music Hall in 1882 as vehicles for Lillian Russell.

Intropidi was at times associated with the California Opera Company, the Boston Ideals, and the W. T. Carleton English Opera Company. He lived in Richmond, Virginia, for two years, and there served as director of the Richmond Oratorio Society and the Opera Association. At the time of his death he was a well-known music teacher in New York City.

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