The Gilded Gentleman

Grace Church, a soaring neo-Gothic church built in 1846, still sits today at the famous bend in Broadway at 11th Street.  Throughout the 19th century it was the most fashionable church for old New York society, even when the elite moved up the island of Manhattan.   Grace represented the early world of the Astors, the Schermerhorns and other families who had their beginnings in the neighborhood around Lafayette Place. The church which has a vibrant congregation today was the scene over its history of many famous events including the christening of Edith Wharton in 1862, the wedding of Tom Thumb in 1863, the wedding of one of the most famous "million dollar princesses" Consuleo Yznaga, the future Duchess of Manchester in 1876 and the funeral of famed social arbiter Ward McAllister in 1895. In this episode from the archives of the Bowery Boys history podcast, Greg Young and Tom Meyers trace the history of this landmark church as well as pay a visit themselves for a talk with the Reverend Harry Krauss, Grace Church historian. For lots of historic images from this show, visit the Bowery Boys website.

The world of Vienna at the end of the 19th century was a world of change.  New design, new fashion and new philosophy  -- and new music.  But amidst sweeping change, the Viennese drank champagne and were swept along by the works of the great Johann Strauss II, known appropriately as the "Waltz King". One of his greatest works is the operetta megahit Die Fledermaus which, beneath its frivolity and popping champagne corks, lies a darker vision and foreshadowing of a very different world to come. In this episode, Carl is joined by returning musicologist and professional musician Dr. Christopher Brellochs for a look at Strauss and his most famous work -- how he created it and what he was trying to communicate to audiences.   In addition, Carl and Chris take a look at another blockbuster operetta, The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar and discuss how the musical form has evolved into a modern era.  Lastly, this episode ends with a look at just how works like Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow have influenced our modern Broadway musical theatre today. Visit the Gilded Gentleman website for more episodes.This show was edited by Kieran Gannon and produced by Bowery Boys Media.

Join Carl and Dr. MIchael Carter, Senior Properties Historian for English Heritage, to celebrate an English country Christmas.  Carl and Michael center their discussion on Wrest Park, home to the De Grey family for over 600 years.  In the 19th century, the original house was torn down and a French inspired mansion rose in its place, still surrounded by the 18th century gardens which guests can still see today. Michael shares stories of some very special Christmases celebrated at Wrest Park during World War I.  and then takes us back into history to discover the origins of some of our most celebrated traditions from plum pudding to Twelfth Night. For information on the American Friends of English Heritage, click here. 

This new Broadway season includes the revival of the classic musical GYPSY: A Musical Fable by Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents. This new revival stars Audra McDonald as the irrepressible Mama Rose,in this iconic show based on the memoirs of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee.  To celebrate the revival and to take us back into the world of vaudeville and burlesque, listen favorite Don Spiro returns to the show to share the history of burlesque -- what it was and wasn't in the Gilded Age years --  and how it all developed into the dynamic new renaissance of the art we see today.