Pierre-Marie-Auguste
Aupicg
was born June 10, 1814 at Pontivy, France. He was a student of
Louis-François
Dauprat at the Le Conservatoire national de musique et de
déclamation, Paris
where he was awarded Premier Prix for
horn in 1832. He also studied violin and flute. He certainly would have
also
been aware of Joseph Meifreds development of the cor a
pistons dating back to 1827 even though Meifred did become a
member a faculty until after Aupicg left for America.
In the Upon his arrival in the United States, he anglicized
his name to Augustus Aupick. He married Esther Isaacs, daughter of M.
Isaacs,
Esquire. They had one daughter, Victoria, born ca. 1838. Esther died on September 24,1847 of disease of the
heart. Aupick died in New York on July 19, 1855 at the age of 41.
[New-York
Spectator, September 29, 1847; N.B.:
The 1850 U.S. Federal Census, implies that Nidds was
born in 1818, which conflicts with other substantial evidence. Listed
in the
same household are Pauline Hix, 53, b. France; Victoria Aupick, 12, b.
New
York; Bridget Short, 27, b. Ireland]
In 1833
he was recruited to be part of a new
stock Italian opera company being formed in New York City:
The formation of
the company to
perform here was intrusted to the Chevalier Rivafinoli, by whom the
following
artists were engaged in Europe: Signorina Clementina Fanti, first
soprano;
Signorina Rosina Fanti, second soprano; Signorina Louisa Bordogni and
Madame
Schneider Maroncelli, contra-alti; Signori Ravaglia and Fabj, tenori;
Porto and
De Rosa, bassi; Halma, first violin; Boucher, violoncello; Willent,
bassoon;
Gambati, trumpet; Aupick, horn; Lombardi, flute ; Schultz, harp; Pietro
Maroncelli, leader of the chorus. These, with Casolani on the
contra-basso, and
several other members of the former orchestra, and Madame Marozzi and
Signori
Orlandi, Ferrero, Placci, and Sapignolli, formed a powerful and
efficient
company. Halma, Boucher, Willent, Gambati, and Aupick, will be
remembered as
unsurpassed on their respective instruments,
[Ireland,
v.II,
p. 93-94]
1834
January
30:
Euterpean Society. The Annual Concert and Ball of this Society will
take place
at the City Hotel on Thursday Evening, the 30th , inst. The
Committee are happy to inform members that on this occasion they will
be
assisted by the Italian Opera
Company Corps, together with the Orchestra of the Company. . . .
Concerto, French
Horn, M.
Aupick
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, January 28, 1834. Composer??]
July 18:
Niblos Garden. - This and Saturday. Musical Soirees every evening
this week,
with such a combination of talent rarely brought together in the U.
States. . .
. Solo on the Horn, [Gallena]
(accompanied on the harp by Mr. Trusl.) Mr. Aupick
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 18, 1834]
July 24:
Niblos Garden Muscal Soiree Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evenings,
July 24th,
25th, and 26th The following eminent talent are
engaged
for these nights only: The orchestra will be composed of the whole of
the
Italian Company. Vocal Performers -- Signor Aupick . . . Instrumental performers -- .
. . Aupick . . .
Romanci Francaise
Lafalle [Griza]
First appearance of sig. Aupick
[New York Commercial
Advertiser, July 24, 25, 26, 1834]
July 29:
Niblos Garden . . .The regular Musical Soirees will take place this
evening,
Tuesday, rain or shine with the following bill of fare: . . .
Duetto, from the
Opera of
Semiramide [Rossini] on the Horn and Trombone, Signors Aupick and
Casolina,
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 29, 1834]
July 31:
Niblos Garden This evening, July 31. Grand Vocal and Instrumental
concert.
. . .instrumental performers . . .
Aupick . . .
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 31, 1834]
August
8:
Niblos Garden This (Friday) evening, August 8th, and
every
evening this week, a Musical Soiree will be given. In consequence of
the great
approbation bestowed on the preceding Concerts, and the applause
received from
crowded houses nightly, the propriety is induced to
engage the same eminent talent for one week longer. The
whole of the Italian performers are engaged . . . Leader of the
orchestra,
which is one of the best in the United States, Mr. Boucher. . . .
Solo French Horn Di
Piacer
mi Balza il Cor, from the opera of Gazza Ladra [Rossini] Mr. Aupick
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 8, 1834]
August
16:
Niblos Garden This Evening, August 16th, last night
positively of
the Musical Soiree The whole of the Italian performers are engaged .
. .
Harmony for two
clarionets,
two horns, one bassoon, one flute obbligato, Cavatina of Semiramide
[Rossini]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 16, 1834]
August
17:
Niblos Garden Sacred Concert. Sunday Evening, August 17. The
Sacred
Concerts have given much general satisfaction to the community, they
will be
continued, and given as purely and strictly Sacred Concerts. The pieces
are
selected from Handel, Haydn, Beethoven, and other celebrated composers.
. .
. The orchestra will be powerful
and effective. . . . Aupick . . .
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 16, 1834]
August
25:
The
Trumpet Contest
Upwards of two
thousand persons assembled at
Niblos Garden on Monday evening, to hear the decision in the case of
[John
Thompson] Norton and [Allessandro] Gambati. It had been hinted that a
second
trial would be had, but Norton expressly stipulated against this as
soon as he
heard it, and actually changed his pieces for inferior ones to avoid
farther
pressing a gailant of unequal competition. The Gambatine had
assembled in
great force, however, and seemed resolved that they would achieve
something.
Norton fulfilled his engagements to Niblo and the public, and played
his piece,
though he had been very ill all day, and vindicated the opinion of his
admirers. Gambati played beautifully, and proved that, within the range
of his
gamut, he was entitled to compete with the best.
The Times says: --
There was some smart
indications of a row last night, and nothing but energetic, and as
usual
effective exertions of Justice Lowndes, with the proud and calmly
confident
forbearance of our Norton-men, prevented it. There was a bit of a
scuffle
between young Kyle, and a Monsieur Aupick,
a former musician at the opera and garden. Aupick stood on the railing
of the
orchestra, and would not go down as others did at the instance of Mr.
Franklin,
and when Kyle interfered, Mons. A. gave him hard words, which led to
the
scuffle. It was soon quieted, however, and it was announced that the
award of
the judges would appear in the evening papers to day, instead of being
announced at the Garden as promised.
This course was taken from apprehensions of disturbance. The
audience
seemed displeased, and refused to retire, but Cioffi, the universal
favourite,
came down with his trombone to the front, commencing Hail Columbia,
marched
forward through the centre of the saloon, & most of the audience,
finding
that all was over, followed him out.
The Star says: --
Niblos, last evening, was
crowded with taste and fashion. Norton and Gambati both played the
latter splendid,
beyond recollection. Norton complained of being unwell. The cup was
awarded to
Norton but Gambati carries off the palm. Let the contest now end; we
will think
of some other subject for a flourish, and a gathering of the good
people.
[Baltimore
Gazette and Daily Advertiser, August 28, 1834. The
contest pitted Norton, a slide trumpet player, against Gambati, a valve
trumpet
player. Gambati was a colleague of both Aupick and Kyle in the Italian
Opera,
but the latter favored Norton. For the full story see Cynthia A.
Hoover, A Trumpet Battle at Niblos
Pleasure
Garden,
Musical Quarterly, Oxford University
Press, 1969, p. 384ff]
1835
Among
the
best artists of the same establishment [Richmond Hill Theatre], we
should point
out Nidds, the second horn. Aupick, the first horn, plays well; but,
from his
using a 1
key instrument, which, from its
difference of construction, causes a difference of tone, it follows
that the
horns, although paired, are not matched.
[New-York
Mirror,
January 3, 1835, v. XII , no. 27, p.211]
1836
Aupick is one of the
most
often heard instrumentalists in 1836 and having a new valve trumpet
of his
own invention.
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.32]
February
14:
Concert Our readers will do well not to forget Mr. Keysers concert,
on
Thursday evening at the City Hotel.
The instruments will be in the hands of masters; Mr. King on the
piano,
Mr. Aupick on the French horn, and Messrs. Schmidt and Keyser on the
violin are
unsurpassed in this country. Miss Watson and Mr. Horn, the principal
vocalists,
will bear a distinguished part in the delights of the evening.
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, February 09, 1836]
1837
January
15: Grand
Performance of Sacred Music On Sunday evening, 15th
instant, at
St. Josephs Church, corner of Barrow street and 6th Avenue;
in aid
of the Catholic half Orphan Asylum in the 6th Avenue. . . . Solo Performers Sigr. Aupick, who
will perform a Sacred Solo [Spohr], on the horn; . . .
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, January 13, 1837)]
April
12: Mr.
Keyzers Concert will take place on Wednesday, 12th April,
1837, at
the Musical Fund Hall [Philadelphia] . . .
Solo on the French
Horn by
Signor Aupick, from the Conservatoire of Paris, his first appearance
Tu
Vedrai la Sventurata, from Il Pirata, [Bellini].
. . .
Solo on the Valve
Trumpet, by
Signor Aupick, Non piu mesta, with variations and Polacca [Rossini]
. . .
Grande March Turque,
with
obligato Trumpet, by Signor Aupick, [Aupick]
[Philadelphia
Inquirer, April 11, 1837]
June 21:
Niblos Garden. The public is respectfully informed that the well
known
establishment is now open for the reception of visitors. The
proprietor, truly
grateful for the patronage hitherto bestowed on his efforts to amuse
and
gratify, has, he trusts, made such arrangements for their entertainment
the
approaching season as will ensure their approbation and continued
support. . .
.
Grand Instrumental
Concert,
but the full Orchestra of this establishment comprising the best talent in the country, led by Signor Abroise,
principal violinist in the Italian Opera House. Instrumental
performers: Signor
Aupick . . . Mr. Nidds . . . The Concert will commence this evening at
8
oclock. . . .
Fantasia on the Horn,
Signor
Aupick [Aupick]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, June 21, 1837. June 23 and 24, same
venue and forces. Aupick not a soloist]
June 28:
Niblos Garden . . .
Fantasia on the Horn,
Signor
Aupick [Aupick]
[New York Commercial
Advertiser, June, 28, 1837]
July 6:
Niblos Garden . . .
Solo and Instrumental
performers, . . . Aupick . . .
Nidds
For particulars see
small
bills. [No program listed]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 6, 1837]
July 7:
Niblos Garden . . .
Fantasia on the Horn,
Signor
Aupick [Rossini]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 7, 1837]
July 14:
Niblos Garden.
Grand Vocal and
Instrumental
Concert. . .
Favorite Duett..Mrs.
Watson
and Mr. Plumer, from the Opera of the Pirate Boy, written by Jonas B.
Phillips,
Esq., Come Brave with Me the Sea of Love, Valve Trumpet obligato,
Signor Aupick
[Bellini]
In a production of an
opera
called The Pirate Boy, by John
Watson, Mrs Watson and Charles Plumer were especially commended for
their
thrilling duet sung to a (too loud) accompaniment by Aupick on his
novel valve
trumpet.
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 14, 1837; Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.40]
July 17:
Niblos Garden
Grand Vocal and
Instrumental
Concert, Fourth Night. . .
Fantasia on the Horn,
Signor
Aupick [Rossini]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 17, 1837]
July 28:
Niblos Garden For the benefit of Mr. Nidds.
Mr. Nidds begs
respectfully to
announce to his friends and the public that his Benefit is fixed for
this
evening, July 26; on which occasion the Ravel Family, who are engaged
for this
night only will appear. Mr. N. has also the pleasure to announce that,
in
addition to the talent already employed, he has effected an engagement,
for
this night only, with that distinguished favorite and comic singer, Mr.
Latham,
who will sing his celebrated song of Broadway sights. Signor Aupick
will
perform a duett with Mr. Nidds on two horns. . . .
Duett on two
Horns..Signor
Aupick and Mr. Nidds [no composer]
. . .
An intermission of
half an
hour will be allowed for refreshments and promenade.
After which a new
Pantomime
Malenge, called Venitian Carnival, arranged by Gabriel Ravel, and
executed by
the whole Ravel Family.
At 10 oclock will
take place
the wonderful ascension of Javelli and Mademoiselle Emilie Ravel, a
feat never
before attempted by a lady, to an
immense height on a rope 300 feet in length, from the north to the
south
garden, a the terrific summit of which they will appear.
This singular and
wonderful
act will conclude with the celebrated Javelli taking an extraordinary
flight on
the rope, surrounded by a brilliant display of fireworks, consisting of
an
immense circular glory of brilliant fires, in the center of which they
will
form a grand tableau.
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, July 26 and 28 1837. Concert
postponed from July 26 to July 28 on account of the unfavorable state
of the
weather.]
August
4:
Niblos Garden
Grand Vocal and
Instrumental
Concert . . .
Fantasia on the
Horn..Signor
Aupick [no composer]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 4, 1837]
August
11:
Niblos Garden
Grand Vocal and
Instrumental
Concert. . .
Sigr Aupick will
perform a
grand solo on the Valve Trumpet [no composer]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 11, 1837]
August
14:
Niblos Garden. Glorious music this evening. Some of the finest
musicians in
the country have been engaged for Mrs. Watsons benefit, among whom are
Signors
Aupick and Casolini, Mr. Bishop, and Mr. King. Miss Jane Wells, Mrs.
Watsons
sister, makes a first appearanc; and to crown all a company of Alpine
or
Tyrolese singers will delight the audience with some mountain melodies.
Fireworks as usual
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 14, 1837]
August
18:
Niblos Garde Extraordinary Attraction
This Evening, August 18
Last night of the
performance
of the celebrated Tyrolese, or Alpine Singers, who were received on
Wednesday
evening with enthusiasm, applause, and whose performance of the wild
uncultivated Native Melodies, National Dances and Mountain Echoes, were
the
theme of universal adulation . . .
. . .
Signor Aupick will
perform a
Fantasia on the Horn.
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 18, 1837]
August
21:
Niblos
Garden . . .Gala Grand Concert and last Grand Exhibition of Fire Works
. . .
Principal Performers
. . .
Signor Aupick . . . Nidds
[no program details;
long
description of fireworks display]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 21, 1837]
August
23:
Niblos Garden . . .
Solo on the Horn,
Signor
Aupick [Rossini]
[New York
Commercial Advertiser, August 23, 1837]
1838
Aupick was first desk
horn at
The Euterpean Societys anniversary concert in 1838.
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.50]
1839
The
Marriage
of FigaroThis
English
version or adaptation of Mozart's " Nozze de Figaro," has
been performed twice this week at the National Theatre, with the
following
strong cast of characters: Count Almaviva, Mr. Wilson ; Figaro, Mr.
Seguin ;
Antonio, (the gardener) Mr. Latham ; Cherubino, Mrs. Bailey ;
Countess
Almaviva, Mrs. Seguin; Susanna, Miss Shirreff. Together with a Musical
interlude, in which Sigs. Gambati, Aupick and Ribas took solo parts on
their
respective instruments, the valve trumpets and the oboe.
[The New-Yorker, v.
VII, n.1, Whole No. 137, (1839), p.14]
Gambati's
solo
and duet with Aupick was quite a treat. The charm of their playing
consisted in their style, which was all we could desire.
[Musical Review, v.I, no. 25, January 19,
1839, p.341-342]
November
26:
Odeon Assembly Buildings, Corner of Tenth and Chestnut Sts.
[Philadelphia]
Grand Concerts The public is respectfully informed that Mr. H.
Russel, Mr. J.
P. Knight, and Signor Gambati purpose giving a series of six Concerts
nightly a
the Odeon, to commence on Tuesday next, November 26th, 1839.
In the
course of these Concerts, every exertion will be made to secure the
best talent
in the country. Mons. Aupick
will appear with Signor Gambati, and play a grand Duett for two
Trumpets, from
Bellinis grand Opera Norma. . . . Programme of the First Concert,
Tuesday
Evening, Nov. 26th ,1839 . . .
Grand Solo French
Horn, Mons
Aupick, Tu Vedrai. [Bellini]
. . .
Grand Duetts Mr.
Knight and Mr. Russell, Suoni la Tromba
Trumpets
Obligato Mons Aupick and Signor Gambati.
[The North
American, Philadelphia, November 25, 1839]
1841
In 1841 Aupick was a
soloist
in concerts under the direction of William Thomas at the Park Theatre
(see the Spirit January 16, 1841). The orchestra
comprised 45 musicians many formerly of the National Theatre orchestra.
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.131]
In 1841, Aupick, the
hornist,
created a small furor with the announcement of an unconventional
concert at the
Apollo Concert Rooms on May 18.
The old
fashioned mode of getting up a concert having become somewhat stale,
wrote the
Spirit of the Times, and in most
cases unprofitable to both the musician and auditory, Mr. Aupick, the
well
known teacher and orchestral performer, has fallen on the most
attractive
method of enhancing the delights of an evenings amusement. Possessing
a
collection of interesting paintings, he proposes to distribute them by
lot at
the close of his concert, and in the presence of the audience. Every purchaser of a ticket is entitled
to a chance in the lottery, and the privilege of introducing the ladies of his party free to a concert [it
being implicit that a ticket-purchaser would be male].
There are sixty well-framed pictures,
each being a prize, and the tickets are limited to three hundred at
five
dollars each. This, with the excitement and pleasure derived from
brilliant
music, both vocal and instrumental, will be mingled with the interest
which
ever attends an appeal to the blind goddess, Fortune. (Spirit,
May 8, 1841, p. 120). As the Herald more pragmatically
observed (May 13, 1841), if he sold out
he would receive $1500 for a total of sixty paintings and the effort of
giving
a concert.
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.141]
1842
On February
24, 1842 Aupick was an assisting artist on a joint concert by
Madame
Spohr-Zahn and William Keyser at the City Hotel.
On March 11, 1842,
Aupick
performed on de Begniss Grand Concert at the Apollo Concert Room. The
program
also included the New York premiere of Webers Jubilee (Jubel),
Overture.
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.150]
Through
the much-advertising Herald we are admitted to multifarious delights in
February and March. Mme. Spohr-Zahn and William Keyser held forth at
the City
Hotel, on February 24th, abetted by Kossowski, Aupick and Timm; among
the
lady's contributions was the grand aria from Titus. The Rainers, on
March 1st
and 4th, repossessed Stuyvesant Institute, and, shortly after, the
great De
Begnis appeared at the Apollo Rooms, along with Timm, Aupick, Mayer,
Massett,
Kossowski, Mme. Otto, and Mlle. Sophia Melizet, from Philadelphia her
first
appearance in New York.
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.171, p.150;
Odell (1928), p. 593]
Meantime,
the Post summons, on April 4th
[1842], to John A. Kyle's offerings at the Apollo Saloon; Mrs.
Hardwick, Mrs.
Page, Kossowski, Timm (of course), Aupick, Alpers, de Janon
(guitarist), and
others filled in a bountiful repast.
With a
vocal and instrumental concert for the benefit of the blind harper,
Wall, I
close the music of 1841-42. Held at the City Hotel, on June 21st, it
called
into play (see the Post) the services of Meyer, Mrs. Croxdall, a singer
from
Philadelphia, Martini, violinist (a first appearance), Mrs. E. Loder,
Coupa, De
Begnis and Seguin in a buffo duet, Ernst, Mrs. Horn, Mme. Otto, Horn,
and
Aupick, valve trumpet. One observes that the musical programme for the
season
had been rich and varied, far in excess of former standards. If in
brilliant
personal appeal the latter half had deteriorated from the first half,
the later
months may have represented a more solid accomplishment and have
indicated
genuine progress in musical taste.
[Odell (1928), p.
594-5]
1844
On October
10, 1844, Aupick played the Casta
diva on the French horn on concert at the Apollo.
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.275]
October
18:
Niblos Theatre, Tremendous Attraction . . . The Graceful Dancers Mlle
Pauline
Desjardins and J. Martins Farewell Benefit . . . Grand Vocal and
Instrumental
Concert . . .
.
. .
Solo, executed on the
Horn by
Mr. Aupick
[New York
Herald, October 18, 1844]
October
31:
Niblos. Unrivalled combination for the benefit to Madlle Pauline
Desjardines
and Mons. Martin on which occasion the following distinguished
Artists will appear
together having kindly volunteered their valuable services: . . . Mons. Aupick . . . Solo
on the Horn by Mr. Aupick
[New York
Herald, October 31, 1844]
November
15: Grand
Vocal and Instrumental Concert at the Apollo Room on Friday Evening
November 15th,
by Monsieur Jules Bley, assisted by the following Eminent Talent.
Vocalists
Mrs. Loder and Mons Mayer (Amateur, his first appearance) Pianists
Messrs.
Timm, Etienne, King, and Berg. Horn Solo by Mons. Aupick. Violin Solo,
by Mons.
J. Bley. . . .
. . .
Fantasie, on the
Horn,
composed and performed by Mons. Aupick, in which he will introduce two
popular
Airs.
[New York
Herald, November 15, 1844]
1845
On November
10, 1845 Aupick made his vocal debut on a Festival Concert
honoring
U.C. Hill at the Tabernacle.
George Templeton Strong wrote in his diary Then came a piece of
stuff
[a cavatina from Donizettis Marino
Faliero] sung by one Aupick [the hornist], his first appearance as
a
vocalist, and I hope his last
[Lawrence, Strong
on Music, vol. I, p.314. Actually
Aupicks local singing debut occurred over eleven years ago. See July
24, 1834]