Arabella Fields (1879-after 1933)
Sarah Arabella (or Isabella?) Middleton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 31, 1879. Currently, there is absolutely no information about her parents, although its possible they immigrated to Philadelphia shortly after the American Civil War.
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| Stockholm (April 1895) |
In July 1894, at the age of 14, Bella Middleton was recruited into Cunningham's "San Francisco Minstrels", a vaudeville troupe consisting of four men: James C. Fields (Mar.4, 1860 - Washington DC), William Campbell (Apr.29, 1866 - Washington DC), John Walter Brown (Nov.14, 1866 - Washington DC), Joseph Samuel Papisco (Feb.28, 1870 - Newark) and four women: Sarah Price (May 14, 1875 - Washington DC), Laura Charlotte Miller (Feb.2, 1873 - Philadelphia), Ida Day (Nov.25, 1875 - Washington DC), Bella Middleton (Jan.31, 1879 - Philadelphia). The majority of the cast's previous musical experience is unknown except for William Campbell, who had been touring Europe since 1890, and the young Bella Middleton (who recalled in a 1931 interview that she had appeared as Topsy in a production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" before traveling to Europe. Having previously organized the failed "Afro-American Specialty Company" in 1891, Canadian theatrical agent, Robert A. Cunningham was eager to organize another show to bring over to Europe.
The one act show consisted of nine parts:
1. Tenor Solo (J.W. Brown)
2. Old Folks at Home (B. Middleton)
3. Quintessential of Women
4. Mixed Quartet
5. Sweet Music Strings
6. Cotton Pickin' on the Plantation
7. Dancing is the best Inception (W. Campbell)
8. Big Song and Dance
9. Knuckles and Tambourines
1894:
(July ?) Sails to Hamburg
(July 20) Hamburg, Germany- Flora Theater
(August 22-September 23) Berlin, Germany- Flora zu Charlottenburg
-October-
-November-
(December 16-January 30) Copenhagen, Denmark- Nationals Variete
1895:
(January 31) Copenhagen, Denmark- Handvaerkerforeningens Festsal
(February 3-9) Aarhus, Denmark
(February 28-March 24) Christiania, Norway- Eldorado
(March 28-April 13) Goteborg, Sweden
(April 17-20) Stockholm, Sweden- Blanch's Café
(May 2) Linkoping, Sweden
(May 3) Kalmar, Sweden
(May 4) Vaasa, Finland
(May 7-11) Norrkoping, Sweden
(May 13-18) Oreboro, Sweden
(May 24-27) Riga, Latvia - Kaiserlichen Garten
(June ?) Saint Petersburg, Russia
(June 28) Helsingfors, Finland- Brunnshuset
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
-November-
(December 20-28) Kharkov, Ukraine- Alhambra Cabaret
(December 20-28) Kharkov, Ukraine- Alhambra Cabaret
1896:
(Janaury 23) Rostov-on-Don, Russia - US Embassy
-February-
-March-
-April-
-May-
(June 4) Moscow, Russia
Arriving in Germany shortly after July 4th, the troupe opened at Hamburg's Flora Theater (Jul.20-Aug.16) where it played for four weeks. A week later, the show made its way to Berlin's immense Charlotteburg Flora Theater (Aug.22-Sep.23) for another month of enormous success with German audiences. For the next two undocumented months, the troupe most likely traversed across other smaller German cities.
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| Aarhus (February 1895) |
On December 16th, the Minstrels arrived in Denmark, opening at the Nationals Variete (Dec.16-Jan.30). After a week in Aarhus (Feb.3-9), the troupe sailed to Norway for a month at the Eldorado Cabaret (Feb.28-Mar.24) in Christiania. On March 28th, the show opened in Gothenburg, Sweden (Mar.28-Apr.13). As their Scandinavian tour continued, audiences began paying closer attention to the youngest member of the troupe, the now 15-year old 'Isabella' Middleton, who's powerful deep soprano voice and her rendition of Stephen Foster's 'Old Folks at Home' kept audiences on the edges of their seats. On May 24th 1895, the troupe arrived in the Russian Empire, appearing in Riga, Latvia's Kaiserlichen Garten (May 24-27). The show later made its way to St. Petersburg and Helsinki's Brunnshuset (Jun.28). During the course of their Russian tour, baritone singer James C. Fields married the sixteen year old Bella Middleton. Born March 6th 1860 in Washington DC, not much is known about the Mr. Fields as hardly any records of him exist. His mentions in his passports, that his last American residence was at 1303 27th Street in DC's southeastern Fairlawn neighborhood, which until 1940 was a very underdeveloped rural district of the city.
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| Kharkov (December 1895) |
Six months later in December, the troupe arrived in the Ukrainian city of Kharkov, where they appeared at the Alhambra Cafe-Concert. At this point, the young Arabella had become the star of the troupe, billed as the "Black Patti". The following month, the show travelled further east to the city of Rostov-on-Don. After June 1896, the troupe disappeared, several of the members returning to America. Throughout 1897-1899, Arabella, as the Black Patti continued touring Russia as a solo artist.
In the winter of 1899, James and Arabella left for a European tour, the earliest appearance being at Prague's Etablissement Sykora (Nov.1-15) alongside another Afro-American singer known as Miss Rosebuds. The following month, the couple traveled southwest to southern Germany, performing at Augsburg's Apollo Theater (Jan.1-15, 1900).
In December 1900, James Fields organized the "American Jubliee Singers" consisting of James & Bella Fields, James Terry, Mr. Nappy, Alfonzo Colbert and Ida Ennis. The troupe toured across the Netherlands, England and France for the next ten months (December 1900-August 1901). During this tour, Bella Fields was first advertised as the "Black Nightingale" direct from Philadelphia's musical conservatory. Throughout this tour, she was always accompanied by her husband and manager, James who was always bedecked in medals presented to him by Tsar Nicholas II during their time in Russia.
1900:
(January 1-15) Augsburg, Germany- Apollo Theater
-February-
-March-
-April-
-May-
-June-
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
-November-
(December 4) Zwolle, Holland- Buitensocieteit
(December 9-11) Leuwaarden, Holland- Harmoniezaal
(December 13) Sneek, Holland- Amicitia Theater
(December 17) Apeldoorn, Holland- Tivoli Theater
(December 31) Leuwaarden, Holland- Stadschouwburg
1901:
(January 4-5) Groningen, Holland- Harmoniezaal
(January 7) Veendam, Holland- Hotel de Boer
(Februry 8) Amsterdam, Holland- Odeon Theater
(February 9) Zwolle, Holland- Zwolle Casino
(February 12) Eindhoven, Holland- Harmonie Apollo
(February 17) Delft, Holland- Stads Doelen
(March-June) British Tour
(July 5-August 3) Paris, France- "Uncle Tom's Cabin" Theatre Porte St. Martin
-August-
-September-
-October-
-November-
-December-
James & Bella Fields reappear early-1902, performing at Rotterdam's Casino Variete (Jan.1-15). That summer, they were at Berlin's American Embassy (Jul.4) applying for a passport to return east to the Russian Empire, where they were probably residing. However, by August, Arabella was engaged at Hamburg's Hansa Theater (Aug.23) billed as a solo artist, her husband nowhere in sight. Possibly, James Fields continued onwards to Russia on his own.
Arabella resurfaces the following year in the Danish capital, performing at the Tivoli Gardens (Sep.30, 1903). She was later booked for two weeks at Copenhagen's Folketheatrets (Nov.3-15) dancing alongside a dark-skinned "Indian" (possibly James Fields). During her Danish engagement, her cakewalk enticed a young pharmacist, Victor Jorgensen and the two quickly carried on an affair. Sunday, November 1st, Arabella was also engaged in the nearby city of Odense. When she left for her engagement there, her Danish lover accompanied her as her new impresario. The following morning, Jorgensen's mother arrived with the police demanding him to return home and threatening the tearful African-American singer. Jorgensen returned with his mother and Arabella returned to Copenhagen to continue her engagement there.
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| Hamburg - Tivoli Garten (October 1904) |
Early 1904, Arabella was back in Germany, performing at the Residenz Theater (Jan.1-15) in the town of Gera, 47 miles south of Leipzig. This was followed by two more weeks at Berlin's Unions-Brauerei (Jan.16-31) a beautiful leafy beer garden on the Hasenheidestrasse. Three months later, she was at Gustav Behren's Specialitäten Theater (Apr.1-15) billed as Princess Bet-Ti-Filds. That summer, she was employed at Reinhardt's Sommertheater (Jun.16-Jul.20), where she is first mentioned performing German lieder and arias. That fall, while performing at Hamburg's Tivoli Garten (Oct.7-25), Arabella won first place in a German beauty contest. During this time, Arabella met 26-year old German pianist and impresario, Engelhardt Albert Georg Winter. Born December 29, 1878 in Bremen's Gropelingen district to Antoinette Marie Caroline Lulling and Georg Gottfried Winter. Arabella frequently referred to her her husband as being Dutch, so it's possible Engelhardt had Dutch heritage. From 1897-1898, Engelhardt served in the Jager Battalion #9 before returning home to Bremen, residing at Humboldtstrasse 75 (1903) and beginning a career as a pianist. The young Engelhardt possibly met the young American entertainer in Hamburg and soon afterwards the couple married. The couple may have settled into an apartmen in the three-story Humboldstrasse house in the cozy Steintor district.
That summer, now managed by her German husband, Arabella embarked on a 31-month tour across the Netherlands, Austria and the German Reich.
1905:
-Disappears for 5 months-
(June.11-12) Heerenveen, Holland - Concertzaal Posthuis
(July 1-31) Berlin, Germany - Walhalla Theater
-August-
(September 16-30) Dresden, Germany - Variete Konigshof
-October-
(Nov.16-30) Bremen, Germany - Tivoli Theater
-December-
1906:
(January 1-31) Chemnitz, Germany - Kaiser Cafe
-February-
-March-
-April-
-May-
-June-
(July 16-31) Karlsbad, Austria - Hotel Weber
(August 1-10) Amsterdam, Holland - Concertzaal Panopticum
(August 16-31) Cologne, Germany - Apollo Theater
(September 16-31) Gorlitz, Germany - Wilhelm Theater
(October 1-15) Lwów, Austria - Colosseum Hermanów
(October 20-28) Teplitz, Austria - Schwan Theater
-November-
-December-
1907:
-January-
-February-
-March-
(April 1-30) Dresden, Germany - Variete Konigshof
-May-
(June 16-30) Reichenburg, Austria - Meininger's Theater
(July 16-30) Prague, Austria - Variete Schoebl
-August-
(September 16-October 15) Wurzberg, Germany - Odeon Theater
(November 1-15) Berlin, Germany - Passage Theater
(November 23-December 31) Berlin, Germany - Cabaret Bierabend
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| Karlsbad (July 1906) |
Billed as "La Belle Fields", the tour began in Northern Holland, with Arabella appearing in Heerenveen's Concertzaal Posthuis (Jun.11-12), later moving on to an extensive year-long German tour. On July 16th, 1906, the Arabella opened as the headliner at Karlsbad's Hotel Weber (Jul.16-31) for two weeks. All over the Austrian resort town, her posters could be seen. Visiting American vaudeville artist, Frederic Melville, was so shocked that a 'colored singer' was the headliner of a European variety bill, that he mentioned her performance in the Buffalo Courier (July 29, 1906). The following month, the couple traveled 508 miles northwest to Amsterdam for two-weeks before crossing back into Germany for another 14-month tour across Germany and Austria's Galicia region.
The tour concluded successfully in the winter of 1907 with two weeks at Berlin's popular Passage-Theater in the Lichtprunksaale (Nov.1-16) and six weeks at the Cabaret Bierabend (Nov.23-Dec.31), also located within the massive Passage. During this engagement, she was received high praise for her performance of the beautiful torch song, Sweet Marguerite Farewell! and the cheeky German folk song, Wenn der Auerhahn balzt. Also around this time, Engelhardt decided it was time for Arabella to capitalize on the latest film and recording technologies. In 1902, fellow African-American entertainer Belle Davis had recorded three songs in London with the Berliner Gramophone Co. and five years later in October 1906, Miss Davis and her Piccaninnies appeared in two short films produced by Pathe Film during a Parisian engagement. These films did well commercially, appearing across France, Germany, England, Russia and the Dutch East Indies.
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| Danish ad mentioning film: "Hello my Baby" (July 9, 1909) |
Around December 1907, Arabella made six recordings: six recordings, My Old Kentucky Home, Because I Love You, Farewell Marguerite, Down on the Farm, Home Sweet Home and Swanee River with Anker Phonogramm Records at the Wintergarten. The records were later developed at a studio on the Ritterstrasse. Around this same time, she also appeared in three short films (now lost): "The Whistling Bowery Boy", "Hello, My Baby!" and "The Song that reached my Heart".
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| Poster advertising her 1908 Italian Tour |
In April 1908, she began a 36-month tour, which opened in Italy. Two weeks in Genoa and Turin, both at the Teatro Eden. A month in Florence at the Alhambra. This was followed by a month at Munich's Bluemensaele. In July, she appeared at the Copenhagen's Over Stalden cabaret in a show headlined by Dagmar Hansen Heinemann. As Autumn arrived, her records were being distributed and sold and her films were also being shown in local theaters as she appeared across various European theaters. Critics spoke extremely well of Fields' performances. In October, Arabella began a 8-month German tour (with a brief two-week intermission in Austria), beginning in the Lower Silesian city of Liegnitz.
In May, Arabella arrived for the first time in the Hungarian capital, Budapest for a two-month engagement. A week at the Eloadas Cabaret. One afternoon dancing at the Karolyi Gardens. A week at the Keckemeti Variete Szinhaz, which ended abruptly after a Hungarian cymbalist, Elek Racz inappropriately groping the American singer and the Black Nightingale punching the musician in the face. After two weeks in the Hungarian town of Szabadka, she returned to Italy for two and half months in Genoa, Turin and an appearance on the island of Sicily. She returned north to the Hungarian capital for a month at the Etablissement Tatra. On November 1st, she opened at Vienna's Budapester Variete for a months engagement. While there, she met Austrian composer (and musical director of the Budapester Variete and K.K. Gartenbau), Theodor Wottitz, whose 1899 composition, "Weil Ich dich Liebe" (Because I Love You) she had recorded three winters earlier. On November 27th, Arabella arrived at the American Embassy for the first time in seven years to apply for a passport to enter Romania in four months. At the Austrian Embassy, she also ran into, Joseph Samuel Papisco, an old compatriot from the San Francisco Minstrels, who had been touring with his European wife.
1908:
-January-
-February-
-March-
(April 1-15) Genoa, Italy - Teatro Eden
(April 16-30) Turin, Italy - Teatro Eden
(May 8-31) Florence, Italy - Teatro Alhambra
(June 1-30) Munich, Germany - Kabarett Bluemensaele
(July 1-August ?) Copenhagen, Denmark - Over Stalden
-September-
(October 1-15) Liegnitz, Germany - Central Theater
(October 16-31) Gorlitz, Germany - Wilhelm Theater
(November 1-15) Munster, Germany - Festhalle
(November 16-30) Krefeld, Germany - Monopol Theater
(December 1-15) Bonn, Germany - Sonne Am Markt Theater
(December 18) Linz, Austria - Colosseum Theater
(December 31) Linz, Austria - Kauffmanischen Bereinshauses
1909:
(January 1-31) Dortmund, Germany - Olympia Theater
(January 3) Linz, Austria - Silvesterfeirn
(February 1-15) Cologne, Germany - Apollo Theater
(March 1-15) Schweidnitz, Germany - Volksgarten
(March 22-28) London, England - Shepherd's Bush Theater *cancelled
(April 1-15) Liegnitz, Germany - Central Theater
(April 17-30) Posen, Germany - Apollo Theater
(May 22-28) Budapest, Hungary - Eloadas Cabaret
(June 1) Budapest, Hungary - Karolyi Gardens
(June 15-20) Budapest, Hungary - Keckemeti Variete Szinhaz
(July 1-15) Szabadka, Hungary - Hotel Hillinger
(July 16-August 1) Genoa, Italy - Lido d'Albano
(August ?) Turin, Italy - Teatro Maffei
(September 1) Catania, Sicily - Tournee Villani
(October ?) Budapest, Hungary - Etablissement Tatra
(November 1-28) Vienna, Austria - Budapester Variete
(December 12) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement Gschwandner
1910:
(January 1-15) Brunn, Austria - Bruenner Variete
(January 16-31) Graz, Austria - Orpheum Theater
(February 1-24) Vienna, Austria - Budapester Orpheum
(February 26) Vienna, Austria - Militarkasino
(February 28) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement Gschwandner
(March 13-14) Teschen, Austria - Variete Borstellungen & Etablissement Europas
(March 27) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement Gschwandner
(April 1-15) Budapest, Hungary - Castelul de Flori Cinema
(April 16) Vienna, Austria - Grinzinger Wintergarten
(May 1-June 30) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement K.K. Gartenbau
(July 1-8) Budapest, Hungary - Variete az Otthonban
(July 9-August 31) Baden, Austria - Etablissement Schwanke Maxim
(August 6) Baden, Austria - Hotel Buberl
(August 20) Baden, Austria - Goldner Lowe
(September 1-15) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement K.K. Gartenbau
(September 16-31) Budapest, Hungary - Royal Cabaret
(October 1-30) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement K.K. Gartenbau
(October 22-25) Vienna, Austria - Klub der Egerlander
-November-
(December 1-31) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement K.K. Gartenbau
1911:
(January 1-3) Linz, Austria - Colosseum Theater
(January ?) Geneva, Switzerland
-February-
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| "Nach Zigeuner Art" sheet music (1910) |
January 1st, 1910, Arabella found herself in the Austrian town of Brunn, performing for two weeks at the Bruenner Variete (Jan.1-15) then continuing south to the city of Graz for a performance at the Orpheum Theater (Jan.16-31). Afterwards she returned to Vienna for two weeks back at the Budapester Variete (Feb.1-24) and the Etablissement Gshwandner (Feb.28). In March, she travelled to the city of Teschen, where she performed at the Variete Borstellungen (Mar.13-14) accompanied by her husband Engelhardt on piano. While in the city, the couple also appeared in the late hours at the Etablissement Europas. The end of the month, they were back in Vienna once again at the Etablissement Schwandner (Mar.27). In April, the Black Nightingale arrived in Romania, at Bucharest's popular Cinema Castelul de Flori on the Strada Şelari 10, where Romanian audiences were mesmerized by Arabella's unique Red Indian dances.
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| Vienna's Etablissement Gartenbau |
In May, Arabella had once again returned to Vienna for a lengthy 2-month engagement at the Etablissement K.K. Gartenbau (May 1-Jun.30). There she performed several German lieder and attempts to yodel receiving mixed reviews from critics. Her most popular song during this time was Franz Schubert's "Am Meer", a 90-year old song of how the singer and "her" beloved met in silence beside the sea, and he wept; since then she has been consumed with longing — he has poisoned her with his tears. The performance completely intrigued Austrian audiences.
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| Mr. & Mrs. Winter on holiday in Baden (July 1910) |
On July 1st, she returned to Budapest for a week at the Variete az Ottonban. On July 9th, Herr and Frau Winter took a little vacation in the Austrian spa-town of Baden, residing at Neustiftgasse 15. Shortly afterwards, Arabella began performing at the Etablissement Schwanke-Maxim (Jul.9-Aug.31) dressed in a Styrian dirndl, yodeling and singing, Wenn der Mondschein schon scheint… (When the Moonlight is shining Beautifully). On August 6th, she participated in "Kunstler-Entre-Nous-Abend" at the Hotel Buberl. A week later, the Badener Zeitung covered a detailed account of Arabella's trip (with her entourage) to the Baden Sulphur Baths (Aug.13). On August 20th, she participated in "Wiener Kunstler-Abend" at the Hotel Goldener Lowe. During her last performance in Baden, she once again met with the journalists of the Badener Zeitung, mentioning her happy marriage to her Germanic blond-haired, blue-eyed impresario and flashing her silver wedding ring.
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| Budapest's Royal Cabaret (September 1910) |
On September 1st, Arabella was back in Vienna at the Gartenbau Etablissement for two weeks before leaving for Budapest's Royal Cabaret. In October she returned to Vienna's Gartenbau for another month (Oct.1-30), this time with a brand new repertoire. This was the height of her tour, as Theodor Wottitz had composed the a beautiful new creation for her. She opened with two American numbers, My Old Kentucky Home and Honey Boy, followed by her soulful performance of Unter dem Lindenbaum dressed as a Tyrolean cowgirl, which left the audience speechless. After another costume change, for the finale Arabella performed Kapellmeister Wottiz's Zigeunerart which she sung while dressed a guitar playing gypsy (the audience was also impressed with her skills with the guitar). This final song was followed by loud applause. In the meantime, for a week, she was also engaged for a week at the Klub der Egerlander. After a month's vacation from the stage, Arabella returned to the Gartenbau in December to end the year. Early 1911, Arabella appeared for three days in Linz at the Colosseum Theater (Jan.1-3) once again performing her usual repertoire of two English songs and Shubert's Am Meer, before departing on January 6th for French-Speaking Switzerland (Suisse Romande) possibly appearing around Geneva and Lausanne.
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| Leizpig (May 1911) |
In February, Arabella had returned home to Germany, appearing the following month at Hamburg's Trocadero Theater. On April 12th, the Winters renewed their Deutsche Passregister (German Passport). Interestingly, Engelhardt listed his occupation as a engineer. Arabella resumed touring again for another 34-months, beginning May 1911 in Leipzig. This tour took her once again across the European continent and a new exotic destination, Turkey.
1911 (Continued):
(May 1-31) Leipzig, Germany - Kabarett Blumensaele
(June 1-15) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement K.K. Gartenbau
(June 16-30) Frankfurt, Germany - Kristallpalast
(July 1-31) Dresden, Germany - Trocadero Kabarett
-August-
-September-
(October 1-31) Hamburg, Germany - Eden Theater
(November ?) Frankfurt, Germany - Kristallpalast
(Decmber 1-February 29) Vienna, Austria - Etablissement K.K. Gartenbau
1912:
(February 26-29) Vienna, Austria - Nues Orpheum Theater
(March ?) Bucharest, Romania
(April 1-15) Constantinople, Turkey - Kafesantan Parisiana
-May-
(June 12-28) Budapest, Hungary - Szegedi Orfuem
(July 1-August 31) Frankfurt, Germany - Kristallpalast
(September 1-16) Wurzburg, Germany - Palast-Theater Variete
(October 1-15) Cologne, Germany - Cabaret Simplizissimus
(November 16-30) Bolzano, Austria - Deutstches Variete
(December 1-15) Merano, Austria - Cabaret Marchetti
(December 16-31) Linz, Austria - Colosseum Theater
1913:
(January 1-15) Frankfurt, Germany - Kristallpalast
(February 16-28) Mainz, Germany - Apollo Theater
(March 1-31) Munich, Germany - Kabarett Bluemensaele
(April 15-30) Augsburg, Germany - Apollo Theater
(May 1-15) Nuremberg, Germany - Spever's Wintergarten
-June-
(July 1-15) Cologne, Germany - Cabaret Simplizssimus
-August-
(September 1-30) Cologne, Germany - Metropol Bierpalast
(October 16-31) Stuttgart, Germany - Friedrichbau Variete
-November-
-December-
1914:
(January 1-31) Dusseldorf, Germany - Pavillon Mascotte
(February 1-28) Hamburg, Germany - Eden Theater
-March-
-April-
(May 1-15) Hamburg, Germany - Rathaus Cafe
In May, Arabella was performing in Leipzig at the Kabarett Blumensaele. The following month, she returned to Vienna for another return engagement at the Apollo Gartenbau (Jun.1-15) before heading to Frankfurt for an appearance at the Kristallpalast (Jun.16-30). In July, she engaged in Dresden for two months at the Trocadero Kabarett with the American duo, Rastus and Banks. Followed by an appearance at Hamburg's Eden Kabarett (Oct.1-31), Frankfurt's Kristallpalast (Nov) and ended the year back in Vienna for three months at the Apollo Gartenbau (Dec.1-Feb.24), her final noted performance at the establishment. On February 25th, 1912, Arabella visited Vienna's American Embassy for an emergency passport for an upcoming Romanian concert. For her final week in Vienna, she appeared at the Nues Orpheum Theater (Feb.22-29) alongside Kapellmeister Herman Steinitz. In March, she made her appearance in Bucharest before traveling into the Ottoman Empire's capital Constantinople, where she appeared for two-weeks at the Kafesantan Parisiana (Apr.1-15). By the summer, Arabella had returned to Europe, appearing at Budapest's Szegedi Orfeum (Jun.12-28), Frankfurt's Kristallpalast (Jul.1-Aug.31), Wurzburg's Palast Theater (Sep.1-16), Cologne's Cabaret Simplizissimus (Oct.1-15), in November she was touring the Tyrol region performing at Bozen's DeutchesVariete (Nov.16-30) and Meran's Kabarett Marchetti (Dec.1-15) before ending the year in Linz at the Colosseum Theater (Dec.16-31).
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| Stuttgart (October 1913) |
The year 1913, was another successful year of touring, although for the first time in nine years, Arabella primarily remained within the borders of Germany performing at Frankfurt's Kristallpalast (Jan.1-15), Mainz's Apollo Theater (Feb.16-28), Munich's Kabarett Blumensaele (Mar.1-31), Augsburg's Apollo Theater (Apr.15-30), Nuremburg's Spever Wintergarten (May 1-15), Cologne's Cabaret Simplizissimus (Jul.1-15) and Metropol Bierpalast (Sep.1-30). Her last noted performance that year was in Stuttgart at the Friedrichbau Variete (Oct.16-31).
Early 1914, Arabella was performing in Dusseldorf at the Pavilion Mascotte (Jan.1-31), the following month, she was was once again in Hamburg, performing at the Eden Theater (Feb.1-28). Three months later, she had moved over to the Rathaus Café (May 1-15).
(June 16-30) Wiesbden, Germany - Vergnügungspalast
-July-
(August 30) Bremen, Germany - German Embassy
-September-
(October 1-31) Amsterdam, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
(November 1-15) The Hague, Holland - Scala Theatre
(November 22) Rotterdam, Holland - New American Concert Hall
(December 17) Groningen, Holland - Bioscoop Cinema Palace
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| Painting by Geert Grauss (c. 1915) |
In the summer of 1915, Arabella traveled southwest to the spa town of Wiesbaden to the province of Hesse-Nassau, for a two-week appearance at theVergnügungspalast (Amusement Palace). Two months later, the Winters resided for two weeks at Auf der Brake 2 in Bremen's Mitte District. During this time, they filed for passport with the German Embassy, receiving them on August 30th.
The couple then traveled to the Netherlands, establishing a residence in Amsterdam and where for the next four months, Arabella made appearances across the tiny neutral country in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Groningen. During her short Dutch tour during the winter of 1915, she became acquainted with composer, Armand Haagman, who composed for her, Arabella's most popular song during her sourjurn in the Netherlands, "My Indian Boy". The song was advertised as early as December 13th, 1915.
1916:
(January 1-15) Wiesbaden, Germany - Vergnügungspalast
(February 1-March 15) Amsterdam, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
(April 23) Arnhem, Holland - Musis Sacrum Concertzaal
(May 1-15) The Hague, Holland - Palace Music Hall
(May 18-21) Tilburg, Holland - Palace Wintergarden
(May 26) Rotterdam, Holland - Cafe Pschorr
(June 22) Breda, Holland - Cinema Hof van Holland
(June 23) Rotterdam, Holland - Cafe Pschorr
(July 6-13) Leiden, Holland - Thalia Theatre
(July 29-31) Rotterdam, Holland - "Great Song Contest" Metropole Theatre
(August 1-12) Middelburg, Holland - "Chanteuse Contest" De Oude Schouwburgzaal
(August 13) Vlissingen, Holland - Schouwburgzaal
-September-
(October 1-15) The Hague, Holland - "International Soubrette Contest" Palace Concert Hall
-November-
(December 15-16) Groningen, Holland - Bioscoop Palace
(December 29) Leiden, Holland - Thalia Theater
(December 30-January 13) Amsteram, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
1917:
(January 21) The Hague, Holland - Palace Concert Hall
-February-
-March-
(April 16-28) Amsterdam, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
(May 1-15) Rotterdam, Holland - "Negress Soubrette Concert" De Matador
(May 31-June 27) The Hague, Holland - Palace Concert Hall
(July 15-30) Amsterdam, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
(August 1-2)Rotterdam, Holland - Cabaret Artistque
(September 1-2) Tilburg, Holland - Societeit Zang en Vriendschap
-October-
(November 1) Rotterdam, Holland - New American Concert Hall
(December 29-January 16) Leeuwarden, Holland - Cabaret Grand Gala
1918:
(February 28) Middelburg, Holland - De Vergenoeging Concertzaal
-March-
(April 16-30) Amsterdam, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
(May 1) Breda, Holland - Cinema Pathe
(May 3) Breda, Holland - Cinema Hof van Holland
-June-
-July-
(August 27) Amsterdam, Holland - "Benefit avond Max Divert" Taverne Grand Gala
(September 20-26) Groningen, Holland - Luxor Bioscoop Theater
(October 11-17) Haarlem, Holland - Cinema Palace
(October 29) Breda, Holland - German Embassy
(November 1) Rotterdam, Holland - New American Concert Hall
(December 1-15) Amsterdam, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
1919:
(Janaury 7) The Hague, Holland - Karseboom Cabaret
(Janaury 16-31) Amsterdam, Holland - Taverne Grand Gala
(February 7-10) Haarlem, Holland - Cinema Palace
(March 16-31) Rotterdam, Holland - Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen
-April-
(May 1) Breda, Holland - Cinema Pathe
(May 24) Hamburg, Germany - German Embassy
(June 4-11) Zandvoort, Holland - Cabaret de Paris
(July 1-15) Rotterdam, Holland - Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen
-August-
(September 29-October 31) Utrecht, Holland - Hotel de l'Europe
(November 1-14) The Hague, Holland - Pavillon Mascotte
(December ?) Amsterdam, Holland - Folies-Bergere Cabaret
(December 23) Haarlem, Holland - Jacob van Lennep Cabaret
(December 31) Breda, Holland - Pergola Theater
After a brief two-week appearance in Germany, from 1916-1920, The Winters settled in Amsterdam at 21 Huunstraat and Arabella was innudated with numerous contracts from Dutch theatrical agents, as she was employed during this five year period, criss-crossing across the Netherlands non-stop.
1920:
-January-
(February 1-4) Amsterdam, Holland - Cabaret de la Monnaie
-March-
-April-
-May-
-June-
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
(November 8-15) Hamburg, Germany - Eden Theater
-December-
1921:
-January-
-February-
-March-
(April 9) Bremen, Germany - Deutscher Garten
-May-
-June-
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
(November 17-January 27) Salzburg, Austria - Hotel Horn
1922:
(February 14) Vienna, Austria - Zirkus Metropol
(February 27) Vienna, Austria - Kasino Monte Carlo
-March-
(April 1-5) Prague, Czechoslovakia - Alhambra Theater
-May-
-June
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
(November 6) Vienna, Austria - Ronacher Theater
(December 8-February 4) Budapest, Hungary - Cercle des Estrangers
1923:
-March-
-April-
-May-
-June-
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
(November 24) Belgrade, Yugoslavia - Palace Hotel
-December-
On April 29th, 1920, Arabella's German passport expired and she returned to her adopted home of Germany. Seven months later, she opened in Hamburg at her old stomping grounds, the Eden Theater for two weeks.
 |
| Billboard Magazine (April 1921) |
In April 1921, after a short trip to Sweden, Arabella appeared at Bremen's Deutscher Garten. Seven months later, due to Germany's crumbling economy and inflation, the Black Nightingale departed for a 26-month European Tour. On November 17, 1921, she opened in Salzburg for two-and-a-half months at the Hotel Horn. From 1921-1923, her touring took her across Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. She may have even appeared in provincial Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.
The year 1924, Arabella completely disappears. Most likely she returned to Germany, working quietly in various cafes and cabarets around Hamburg.
1925:
(Janaury 1-15) Hamburg, Germany- Eden Theater
-February-
-March-
-April-
-May-
-June-
-July-
(August 24-September 15) Stockholm, Sweden- "Chocolate Kiddies" Cirkus Theater
(September 16-24) Copenhagen, Denmark- "Chocolate Kiddies" Cirkusbyningen
(September 19) Copenhagen, Denmark - Rode Kro Teater
(September 25) Hannover, Germany
(October) Prague, Czechoslovakia
(November 3-19) Budapest, Hungary- "Chocolate Kiddies" Renaissance Szinhazban
(November 20-December 5) Vienna, Austria- "Chocolate Kiddies" Raimund Theater
1926:
(January 9) Frankfurt, Germany- "Chocolate Kiddies" Thalia Theater
(January 14-Februry 10) Barcelona, Spain- "Chocolate Kiddies" Teatro Olimpia
(February) Madrid, Spain- "Chocolate Kiddies" Circo Price
(March 14-16) Riga, Latvia
(March 19-May 5) Moscow, USSR- "Chocolate Kiddies" Gostsirk
(May 8-23) Leningrad, USSR- "Chocolate Kiddies" Music Hall
(May 28) Konigsberg, Germany
(June 4-11) Danzig, Germany- "Chocolate Kiddies" Wilhelm Theater
(July 14-27) Berlin, Germany- "Black People" Metropol Theater
(August 18) Saltsjobaden, Sweden- "Black People" Grand Hotel
(August 14-26) Stockholm, Sweden- "Black People" Vaasa Teatern
(September 9-14) Oslo, Norway- "Black People" Casino Theater
(September 15-18) Hamburg, Germany
(September 19-23) Bremen, Germany- "Black People" Schauspielhaus
(September 25-October 3) The Hague, Holland- "Black People" Gebouw Wetenschappen
(October 4) Haarlem, Holland
(October 5-6) The Hague, Holland- "Black People" Gebouw Wetenschappen
(October 7-10) Rotterdam, Holland- "Black People" Groote Schouwburg
(October 16-22) Amsterdam, Holland- "Black People" Paleis Volksvlijt
(October 23-26) Dusseldorf, Germany- "Black People" Apollo Theater
(November 2-11) Munich, Germany- "Black People" Deutches Theater
(November 15-18) Zurich, Switzerland- "Black People" Corso Theater
(November 23) Basel, Switzerland
(December) Italy
 |
| Madrid (February 1926) |
By January 1925, Arabella was back home in Hamburg, appearing for two weeks at the Eden Kabarett-Theater for it's final season (It would be sold and converted into a pub the following year named Gastwirtschaft Oberbayern).
During the summer, an Afro-American Jazz revue named, "Chocolate Kiddies", swept across Germany with major success and lots of publicity. The cast included Adelaide Hall, Lottie Gee, Greenlee & Drayton and Sam Wooding's Orchestra. Arabella most likely caught a glimpse of the show during its two-week run at Hamburg's Thalia Theater (August 9-23). Shortly afterwards, as the revue departed for Scandinavia, the former Black Nightingale was given a place in the show, performing duets with baritone, Arthur "Strut" Payne. The show played Sweden and Denmark for a month. During the Danish engagement, Arabella also doubled over at the Rode-Kro Teater on her own. During the fall of 1925, the show left for a tour of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Austria before returning to Germany in January 1926.
 |
| Moscow (March 1926) |
From January to February 1926, the revue appeared in Spain, at popular venues in Barcelona and Madrid. The Chocolate Kiddies company arrived in Moscow that spring, where the show performed at the People's Circus, on Bolshaya Sadovaya Street. In May, the revue also performed in Leningrad at the Leningrad Music Hall. The Chocolate Kiddies returned to Germany that summer and merged with the remnants of the tab show, La Revue Negre, before dissolving in mid-June.
In July 1926, Afro-American dancer, Louis Douglas, reruited Arabella to join his "Black People" company. For the next eight months, the company appeared in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. The company dissolved in March 1927, and Douglas (and other members of the company) departed for the United States to star in "Africana" alongside Ethel Waters. For the next six months, instead of taking this opportunity to return to America (or joining the Chocolate Kiddies on their South American tour), Arabella remained quietly in Germany. When Douglas returned in September, he re-organized the company as the "Black Follies" company, he took the show on another eight month tour across Belgium, Italy, Algeria, France, Spain, Holland, Germany, Romania and Poland.
1927:
(January 18) Madrid, Spain- "Black People" Teatro Maravillas
(February 13) Vienna, Austria
(February 14-18) Budapest, Hungary- "Black People" Varosi Szinhazban
(February 20) Belgrade, Yugoslavia
-March-
-April-
-May-
-June-
-July-
-August-
(September 9) Brussels, Belgium- "Black Follies" Casino
(October 5) Trieste, Italy
(October 14-15) Turin, Italy
(October 16-17) Bologna, Italy
(October 18) Firenze, Italy
(October 19-26) Milan, Italy- "Black Follies" Teatro del Verne
(November 2-21) Paris, France- "Black Follies" Concert Mayol
(December 13-15) Algiers, Algeria- "Black Follies" Opera d'Alger
(December 24-January 1) Bordeaux, France- "Black Follies" Salle Alhambra
1928:
(January 17-19) Madrid, Spain- "Black Follies" Teatro Comedia
(February 3-12) Barcelona, Spain- "Black Follies" Teatro Novedades
(February 26) Rotterdam, Holland- "Black Follies" Groote Schouwburg
(February 27) The Hague, Holland
(February 28) Arnheim, Holland
(March 1) Utrecht, Holland- "Black Follies" Stadsschouwburg
(March 6) Cologne, Germany- "Black Follies" Reichhallen
(March 15-27) Bucharest, Romania- "Black Follies" Sala Eforie
(April) Warsaw, Poland
(April 24-25) Lodz, Poland- "Black Follies" Philharmonic Hall
-May-
-June-
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
-November-
-December-
1929:
(January 25) Amsterdam, Holland- Edison Theater
(February 8) Amsterdam, Holland- Tip Top Theater
-March-
-April-
(May 10-11) The Hague, Holland- Centraal Cabaret-Dancing
(May 25) The Hague, Holland- Florida Cabaret
-June-
-July-
-August-
-September-
-October-
-November-
-December-
 |
| The Hague (May 1929) |
In April 1928, as Arabella abandoned "Black Follies", she was aproached by British theatrical agents to star in the latest London West End production of "Show Boat" alongside Paul Robeson, set to open May 3rd, 1928, at the Theatre Royal. At a period when African-American Spritiuals and Blues were extremely popular amongst the British public and Black artists such as Zaidee Jackson were successfully recording, touring on variety circuits and appearing on BBC-Radio programs, Arabella Fields could've gained immense success and noteriety amongst the Western European press (and possibly America as well).
Arabella turned down the lucrative offer, instead returning to The Netherlands with her husband for the next two-and-a-half years. As the "Black Venus", Josephine Baker, dominated European stages, the aging Black Nigtingale scrapped by performing a few songs in small, relatively unknown Dutch nightclubs.
1930:
-January-
-February-
-March-
-April-
-May-
(June 3-July 11) Paris, France- "Liza" Theatre Porte St. Martin
(July 26-August 2) Riga, Latvia- "Black Flowers" National Opera
(August 6) Edinburg, Latvia- "Black Flowers" Edinburger Seepavillon
(August 8-9) Tallinn, Estonia- "Black Flowers" Estonia Theater
(August 10-20) Helsinki, Finland
(August 22-30) Copenhagen, Denmark- "Black Flowers" Casino
(September 1-2) Stockholm, Sweden- "Black Flowers" Cirkus Variete
(September 3-16) Djurgarden Island, Sweden
-October-
-November-
(December 17) Venice, Italy- "Black Flowers" Teatro Maliban
1931:
-January-
-February-
(March 14) Frankfurt, Germany- "Louisiana" Schumann Theater
(March 30-April 2) Zurich, Switzerland- "Louisiana" Corso Theater
(April 4-6) Winterthur, Switzerland
(April 29-May 15) Warsaw, Poland
-June-
(July 18) Berlin, Germany- "Louisiana" Deutsche Kunstlertheater
(July 27-31) Riga, Latvia- "Louisiana" National Opera
(August 12-November 28) Nice, France- Studios de la Victorine *filming Baroud
(November 29-December 10) Marrakech, Morocco*filming Baroud
(December 19-January 16) Nice, France- Studios de la Victorine *filming Love In Morocco
 |
| Copenhagen (August 21, 1930) |
In the summer of 1930, Arabella once again reunited with Louis Douglas in Paris to join his "Black Flowers" company. With a large cast including 26-year old Valaida Snow, the company opened on June 3rd at the Theatre Saint-Porte Martin, where they cast showcased the all-Black operetta, "Liza". This was the same theatre where 22-year old Arabella had appeared in Uncle Tom's Cabin to much acclaim, twenty-nine years earlier. Now 51-year old Arabella was appearing as Liza's Mammy beside the young upcoming vedette, Valaida, who was the star of this operetta and company.
In late July, the Black Flowers company departed for a two-month Baltic and Scandinavian tour.
After traversing around Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Denmark and Sweden, the troupe was renamed the "Louisiana" company and continued touring for the next ten months around Italy, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Germany, Switerland, Austria and Poland.
 |
| July 31, 1931 |
By July, Irish-American film director, Rex Ingram, who had been occupying the brand new Studios de la Victorine in Southern France, was preparing for his latest film, "Baroud" and needed an older African-American actress capable of speaking in French and English to play the role of the Arab nanny, Mabrouka. No other Black actress in Europe fit that profile but Arabella Fields. Agents chased after Arabella across Poland and Germany until they finally caught up with her in Austria. She was promptly put on a train to the Cote d'Azur to begin filming on August 12th.
For the next four months, Arabella worked closely alongside Ingram, Rosita Garcia, Pierre Batcheff and Roland Caillaux. In-between filming, she occupied herself by drinking and gambling with the film crew. On November 29th, the crew departed for Morocco to film on location in the Atlas Mountains for a month. After filming wrapped up on December 10th, the film crew returned to France to begin filming the English-version of the film, "Love In Morocco", flying back and forth once again between North Africa and the Cote d'Azur.
After filming wrapped up on January 16th, 1932, 53-year old Arabella Fields disappears, possibly retiring and living quietly in Germany.
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