An indefatigable early twentieth-century opera democratizer, Hammerstein wants to “give first class opera at prices within the reach of everybody”–which he aims to do, ironically, by building the Manhattan Opera that quickly becomes a rival institution to the venerable Metropolitan. Revealing the intriguing overlap between the elite and popular spheres, this lecture highlights Hammerstein’s savvy in making the typically snobby uptown opera scene accessible to those from the Lower East Side (and beyond).

Part 2 of a 5-part series featuring Daniela Smolov Levy, Ph.D.

Presented by the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.