Theater Impresario. Opera was his passion, and he made it popular in the United States. He arrived in America in 1864, and swept floors in a cigar factory. By 1874 he was publishing the "U.S. Tobacco Journal." He invented and patented several cigar machines, and he became wealthy by industrializing cigar manufacturing, and that provided the money for his theater interests. He built his first theater, the Harlem Opera House in 1889, the Columbus Theatre in 1890 and the Manhattan Opera House in 1893. His fourth theater was the Olympia Theatre on Longacre Square, later renamed Times Square, a thriving theater district. By 1904 he had opened eight theaters, and in 1908 he opened the Metropolitan Opera House in Philadelphia, Pa. He produced contemporary operas and several Broadway shows. He had two sons, Arthur and William, who continued the family business. William was the father of Oscar Hammerstein II, Broadway lyricist.
Theater Impresario. Opera was his passion, and he made it popular in the United States. He arrived in America in 1864, and swept floors in a cigar factory. By 1874 he was publishing the "U.S. Tobacco Journal." He invented and patented several cigar machines, and he became wealthy by industrializing cigar manufacturing, and that provided the money for his theater interests. He built his first theater, the Harlem Opera House in 1889, the Columbus Theatre in 1890 and the Manhattan Opera House in 1893. His fourth theater was the Olympia Theatre on Longacre Square, later renamed Times Square, a thriving theater district. By 1904 he had opened eight theaters, and in 1908 he opened the Metropolitan Opera House in Philadelphia, Pa. He produced contemporary operas and several Broadway shows. He had two sons, Arthur and William, who continued the family business. William was the father of Oscar Hammerstein II, Broadway lyricist.
Bio by: Ginny M
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