168     A  HISTORY  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  STAGE      D888

the Court Theatre, Berlin, to appear there, Mr. Amberg cancelled
her contract with him and she sailed for Europe in March, 1888.
She died in Berlin Sept. 21, 1890. On Nov. 4, Junkermann played
"Hanna Nute " for the first time in America; Nov. 15 Plelene
Livingstone made her American debut in " Alessandro Stradella."
Ernst Possart made his American debut Dec. 2 in "Die Bluthoch-
zeit" ("Bartholoraew's Night"). Emanuel Lederer, Adolph
Werter, and Mme. Emily Von Aichsberg also made their American
debuts on this occasion. Margaret Fish made her American
debut as a German-speaking star Dec. 6 in "Der Glucksengel "
("The Lucky Angel"). This lady was formerly well known as
"Baby Benson," daughter of Jenny Benson, and as an infant prodigy
earned a great reputation in England. She married Charles Fish,
a variety actor. Mathilde Cottrelly played a brief engagement
here, commencing Dec. 15. On Dec. 19 she was seen in "Die
Fledermaus," and her engagement terminated Dec. 22.

On the morning of Dec. 31 Herr Possart crossed over to Brook¬
lyn, and at the City Hall there was united in marriage by Mayor
Whitney to Anna Deinet, whom he wedded years ago in Germany,
but frora whom he separated in 1883. On the night of Jan. 4,
1888, for the first time in this country, "Ein Fallissement," by
B. Bjornson, a four-act drama once adapted, under the title of
"Bankruptcy," for Lawrence Barrett, but never done by him, was
played. "Richard III." was acted Jan. 7 for Possart's benefit.
During the performance he was presented with a gold watch. On
Feb. 21, he appeared as Lear for the first time in America.
" Othello" was acted P'eb. 27, as a benefit to Oscar Krueger,
when Possart played lago for the first time here. "King Lear"
was given Feb. 28. At the close of the performance Possart left
on the midnight train for Washington. On the following day he
was presented to President Cleveland, and returned to this city
that night. March 3, Byron's tragedy of " Manfred " was given,
when Schumann's music was sung in its entirety for the first
time in America. On the sarae night Gertrude Giers made her
American debut, playing the title r6le in "Marie Stuart." She
achieved a distinct success.

"Richard III." was done March 7 for Possart's benefit. Owing
to the death of the German Emperor, Herr Possart did not appear
on March 9, as announced. Afternoon of March 10 Gertrude Giers
repeated her performance of "Marie Stuart," and night of March
7 she was seen for the first time here as Deborah (Leah). The
week was brought to a close by Herr Possart's appearance, night of
March 10, in "Die Bluthochzeit." On the i6th, "Don Carlos,"
with Gertrude Giers as Prinzessin Von Eboli, Possart as Philip H. ;
March 17, Possart as Mephistopheles in "Faust," first time in
America; March  19,  "Manfred."    "Faust" was repeated March