The Opera War (4:48): In this scene at the van Rhijn house with Agnes, Ada and Marian we hear more about the opera houses.
Ada Brook: “I had a letter from Cousin Margaret this morning. She says the opera war is really heating up.
Marian Brook: “Why does there have to be a war? Why can’t the Academy create more boxes for the new people to rent?”
Agnes van Rhijn: “Because the Academy of Music is one of the last bastions of decency and standards in this city. We will not patronize any jumped-up opera house, however loud and gaudy it may be.”
Dorothy Scott Plays Beethoven (14:51): In this scene we hear Dorothy Scott playing the second movement from Ludwig van Beethoven’s (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique.” Her daughter Peggy drops by and sweetly smiles for a moment as she listens to her mother until she is noticed.
Dorothy Scott: “Peggy. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
Peggy Scott: “Do I need an invitation?”
Dorothy Scott: “No, but they could have prepared something in the kitchen. And I’d have put off my piano student who’ll be here in a moment.”
Mrs. Dorothy Scott (Audra McDonald) plays the piano while she waits.
Alison Cohen Rosa/HBO
Painting by Joseph Karl Stieler of Beethoven with the manuscript for Missa Solemnis (1820)
Operas & Balls: Two Ingredients on Every Good Social Calendar (42:48)
A gathering at the Russel house including George and Bertha Russell, Charles and Aurora Fane, Ward McAllister, as well as Tom Raikes and Marian Brook includes this side conversation:
Marian Brook: “I suppose your life in New York, continues as splendidly as ever?”
Tom Raikes: “Not as splendid as this house. But I’m off to the opera again tonight, and I have a ball on Saturday with the Dreesmanns on Long Island.”
Illustration of a night at the Academy of Music from 1866.