Booklet: Nero; or The Destruction of Rome
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Title
Title
Booklet: Nero; or The Destruction of Rome
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Origin Information
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Digital Origin |
Digital Origin
reformatted digital
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Description |
Description
Booklet featuring "Nero; or the Destruction of Rome," an Imre Kiralfy spectacle that was a part of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The cover for Nero; or the Destruction of Rome features a gladiator standing over the top of the dead body of another gladiator, facing towards emperor's box of the coliseum. The imperial box cheers, and the rest of the coliseum can be seen. In the background, flames lick and crackle. Featured in the foreground on the left hand side is a winged woman balancing atop the skull of death itself, who bears a scythe. She holds a glowing sign that reads light of history. Inside the booklet is a pull out illustration entitled Nero's Triumphant Return from Corinth. Front and center in the illustration is the Emperor Nero seated atop a throne, being pulled by a set of four white horses. Additional soldiers, women, chariots, and horses are all present, forming the procession, and illustrations of Rome itself are visible in the background. On the title page is the name of the show. It is followed by credits for set design, music. The remainder of the booklet offers a scene-by-scene summary of the show, describing the events and scenery. Present at the end are brief historical overviews. Advertisements are mixed throughout. The back of the booklet features a color illustration of the chariot races at the circus maximus. Three chariots, one pulled by a four-horse team of white horses and the others featuring brown horses, are depicted. The imperial box is in the background, showing figures watching the event. Imre Kiralfy (originally Königsbaum) (January 1845-April 28, 1919) was a Hungarian born producer of spectacles, with a number of his elaborate productions being put on by the Barnum and Bailey circus. Originally working to produce shows with his brother Bolossy, the two put on what were known as spectacles - elaborately staged multi-media productions with music, lavish costuming, massive sets, dancing, extensive use of new electrical lighting, and minimal emphasis on dialogue. The two had a successful partnership, but split in 1887 following a falling out for reasons unknown. Imre went on to produce shows like Nero; or the Fall of Rome, Columbus and the Discovery of America and The Fall of Babylon that toured as a part of the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Kiralfy died in Brighton, England on April 28, 1919. Barnum is best known for his involvement with the circus that bore his name, but his circus ventures came about when he was in his 60s. The first show was called P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus. Railroads propelled the circus to success, making it easier to reach a number of locations, and the intake was significant. Barnum then opened the New York Hippodrome with similar acts. In the 1880s, he encountered competition from other circuses. A merger between Barnum's show and the Great London Show of Cooper, Bailey, and Hutchinson formed the Barnum and London Circus. Negotiations in 1887 formed the Barnum and Bailey circus. The name remained until 1919 when it became the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. It came to an end in May 2017 when the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus ceased performances after 146 years.
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Creator (cre): The Courier Company
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Use and Reproduction |
Use and Reproduction
This item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. Images and data from The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library are intended for public access and educational use only. This material is owned, held, or licensed by The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library and is being provided solely for the purpose of teaching or individual research. All other use, including commercial reuse, mounting on other systems, or other forms of redistribution requires permission of the appropriate department of The Bridgeport History Center, Bridgeport Public Library; fees may be applicable.
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Note
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Local Identifier |
Local Identifier
PTB-gc-cm020
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