May 28 Friday – Sam attended the operetta Fatinitza at the Hartford Opera House, put on by the Boston Ideal Opera Company. It was a one-night performance unconnected with the New York production cited by Gribben above, as the tickets were not sold until May 27 (the day Sam purchased one), and no further performance is mentioned [Hartford Courant, May 25, 1880 p.2]. From a short review of May 29, page 1, the same paper:

“Fatinitza”

That sterling combination, the Boston Ideal Opera company, repeated Suppe’s opera of “Fatinitza” at the opera house last evening before one of the largest and most fashionable audiences of the season. That the opera was presented by this company is all that need be said as to the merits of its production. Applause was bestowed again and again for popular numbers, and cordial responses were given. Miss Phillips, Miss Beebe, Messrs. Frothingham, Barnabee and Fessenden were excellent throughout. The company may well come here again; Hartford will patronize such a combination, and patronize it liberally.