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Maurice Hermann Grau (1849 – 14 March 1907) was an Austrian-born American impresario, opera director, and theatre manager and producer. The Americana: A Universal Reference Library stated that "from 1872 until 1903 [Grau] was the most prominent operatic manager in America".[1] He was a named partner in the US theatre management and production firm Abbey, Schoeffel and Grau which managed numerous theaters in Boston and New York City, including the Metropolitan Opera House. As part of this firm Grau co-managed the Metropolitan Opera (the Met) from 1891 until Abbey's death in 1896 when he took over sole management of the Met. He remained the manager of the Met until 1903 when he retired. He was also concurrently the manager of the Royal Opera House in London from 1897-1900.[2]
The Oxford Companion to American Theatre stated that, "Although best known for his successful tenure as head of the Metropolitan Opera, he was also important in the growth of popular musical theatre in America."[3] He should not be confused with his cousin, also named Maurice Grau (1857-1934), who was a theatre agent.[4]
- ^ Beach & Rines 1912, Entry: Grau, Maurice.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Grovewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Bordman & Hischak 2004, p. 274.
- ^ "MAURICE GRAU DEAD; THEATRICAL AGENT; Son of Ex-Metropolitan Opera Manager and Cousin of Late Maurice Grau". The New York Times. March 11, 1934. p. 31.