Long-Forgotten Opera About Tabasco Sauce Heats Up Stage Again
Rediscovering a Lost Gem
In the annals of forgotten musical history, there lies a tale of a long-lost opera that celebrated the now-ubiquitous Tabasco sauce. Composed by George W. Chadwick in 1894, the “Burlesque Opera of Tabasco” was a witty and catchy ode to the peppery condiment that quickly became an overnight sensation during its initial run.
The Opera’s Obscurity and Revival
However, due to alleged conflicts between Chadwick and producer Thomas Q. Seabrooke, the opera faded into obscurity after its initial success. For over a century, it remained largely forgotten—until now.
Thanks to the musical sleuthing of Louisiana-born conductor Paul Mauffray, the New Orleans Opera has revived the 124-year-old production for the first time in over a century. Called “George W. Chadwick’s Tabasco: A Burlesque Opera,” the already sold-out production is bringing Chadwick’s artistic vision back to life with a full orchestra, chorus, and cast of characters.
The Story Behind the Sauce
The opera’s plot revolves around a hot-tempered grand pasha who threatens his personal chef after finding his dinner bland. A blind beggar remedies the situation by selling the chef a mysterious liquid that turns out to be Tabasco sauce.
Tabasco’s Rise to Prominence
Interestingly, the McIlhenny Company, the makers of Tabasco sauce, had no involvement in the original creation of the opera. The production was commissioned by a group of military cadets as a fundraiser to build a new armory in Boston.
Shane Bernard, the McIlhenny Company’s historian, believes that the opera’s popularity is a testament to the widespread recognition of Tabasco sauce by 1894. “It wouldn’t have made sense to the audience if Tabasco wasn’t already a household word,” Bernard says.
The Opera’s Impact on Tabasco
The success of the opera led to a collaboration with John Avery McIllheny, son of the late Tabasco inventor Edmund McIllhenny. McIllheny gave permission for the opera to continue as a traveling production, on the condition that mini bottles of Tabasco sauce be distributed to audience members during each performance.
This was the first time that the company produced mini bottles, which today account for nearly half of the brand’s total annual sales.
A Taste of the Opera
While the New Orleans Opera production of “Tabasco: A Burlesque Opera” may be sold out, you can still catch a glimpse of its charm by listening to a clip of Mauffray leading the Hradec Kralove Philharmonic in a rendition of its overture.
A Culinary and Cultural Legacy
The revival of the Tabasco opera is not only a testament to the enduring popularity of Tabasco sauce but also to the rich history and cultural significance of both the condiment and the art form of opera itself. George W. Chadwick’s long-lost masterpiece has finally found its way back to the stage, bringing joy and laughter to audiences once again.