Zerega's Spanish Troubadours

Zerega's Spanish Troubadours were a mandolin and guitar ensemble active at the end of the 19th century in England.[1] They were directed by Eduardo Zerega, known in the mandolin world for a single work, Souvenir de Bovio. Less well known is the untimely death of his wife in 1896 in New York, that was described in the newspapers of the day, as the "Zerega Mystery". Zerega was the stage name of Edgar Hill and his wife May. While the Zerega's promoted themselves as from Madrid, Spain,[2] the Hills were born in Indiana, but moved to London shortly after they were married.

Zerega's Spanish Troubadours
Background information
OriginUSA and London
GenresClassical music, Latin
Years active1887-1900
LabelsNo known recordings
Associated actsZerega's Spanish Minstrels
WebsiteNone
Membersn/a
Past membersEduardo Zerega (Edward E. Hill, Senorita Dema Terval (May D. Hill), Calamaro Durango (guitar), Chinita Zeregal

Zerega's Spanish Troubadours
Zerega's Spanish Troubadours 1897 concert announcement.[3]

In America in 1887, the 5-piece troupe toured as "Zerega's Royal Spanish Troubadours" to favourable reviews,[4] in San Rafael,[5] Los Angeles,[6] San Bernardino Opera House,[7] and Sacramento.[8] A review noted:[9]

"They comprise three gentlemen and two ladies, who, arrayed in the national Spanish costume, execute concerted numbers and solos on the mandolin and guitar. Their performance was a pleasing one, and greatly delighted those present. The principal artist, Senor Edouard Zarega. has a genuine ability, masterly execution and strong sympathetic feeling. Senor Calamaro Durango gave a guitar solo, and Senorita Terval played several numbers on a species of Æolian harp, which won favor and several recalls."

In England in 1888, they billed themselves as "The Zerega Spanish Troubadours", consisting of "two on mandolin and guitar, with tambourine, castanet and fairy-bell accompaniments", appearing at the Royal Albert Hall, West Theatre.[10] They also toured as "Zerega's Spanish Minstrels".[2] On August 17 and 21 August 1895, "These famous Mandoline and Guitar Players, Singers, and Dancers had the honour of appearing before her Majesty the Queen [Victoria] [at] Osborne House",[11] and performed the following programme:[12]

  • Overture, "El Secreto" .. Thomas
  • Jota, "Zaragosa" .. Zerega
  • Mandoline Solo .. Senor Zerega
  • Concert Vals "La Troubadours" .. Granados
  • Overture, "Pique Dame" .. Suppe
  • Flores de Espana .. Zerega
  • Song, "Los Sacamuelas" .. Gomez
  • Dance, "La Cachucka" and "La Chinita" .. Viega
  • Serenata, "Granados" .. Zerega
  • Song, "Me Gustan" .. Perez
  • Dance, "Ole" .. Moro
  • Capricho, "The Circus" .. Zerega

E. Zerega
Eduardo Zerega AKA Edgar E. Hill

Personal
Edgar E. Hill, AKA Eduardo Zerega[13]

Eduardo Zerega was born Edgar E. Hill around 1860 in Columbus, Indiana, USA.[14] On 21 April 1880 he married May D Keith in Bartholomew, Indiana.[15] Because the marriage was opposed by her father, the couple left Columbus, and went to live in London.[16] When visiting New York in 1896, the papers described him as "about five feet five inches in height, and strongly built".[13] For a time in England, Eduardo Zerego claimed to be a Spanish national,[17] before confirming his American citizenship.[18] He died in London on 22 July 1922,[19] leaving effects of £5,105,[20] (worth about £250,000 now).

The Zeragas had one daughter, Chinita Zerega, born around 1882.[17] As a youngster, she often appeared with the Spanish Troubadours, sometimes credited as "Chinita Gomez Zerega",[21] and also billed as "La Chinita: The Little Dancer", who also performed for Queen Victoria in 1895.[22] In 1903, she was performing with a Mme Nińa Lewelin in their own ensemble, Los Trobadores, described as "Mandolinists, Guitarists, Banjoists, Vocalists and Dancers".[23] In 1911, she was performing in Singapore in her own production called "La Pandera", described as "Novel Attraction" and "Typical Dance of Aragona".[24]

Souvenir de Bovio

Souvenir de Bovio (translation: Souvenir of the Groom) is a romance, and described as the only composition by E. Zerega from around 1900.[25] A recording by mandolinist Hugo D'Alton accompanied by pianist Clifton Helliwell was released in 1961 on the Collectors Record label.[26] In 2009, mandolinist Alison Stephens arranged the piece for mandolin with Craig Ogden on guitar, and released it on their CD Souvenirs.[27]

The Zerega Mystery
"Mrs Everett of Boston" who was later identified as Mrs E. E. Hill, Senorita Zerega.[28]

On the 6th May 1896, a woman registered at the Colonnade Hotel, Lafayette Place, New York, as "Mrs Everett of Boston". Two days later, she committed suicide by shooting herself with a revolver through the left ear.[29][30][31] The suicide note read:


"Hereditary insanity. Please cremate and pay landlord for damages, etc. Have no family, so beg that my wishes be observed"

There was soon speculation as to the identity of the woman, and there were suspicions (incorrectly) that she was a French woman called Louise Lansburg.[28] But eventually she was identified from the manufacturer's name on her gloves and a scrap of printed label, which led to "Mrs Everett" being identified as Mrs E. Zerega[32] whose name appeared on the passenger manifest of the USS Saint Paul, and that she was Mrs Edgar E. Hill. A positive identification was made by her father-in-law ex-Judge Ralph Hill of Indianapolis.[13]

Before she died, May had gone to a New York lawyer to ensure that $5,000 worth of property she owned in Indiana would be bequeathed to her husband. Four years after her death, her will was successfully contested by her aunt on the grounds of "unsoundness of mind".[16]

References
  1. The Classical Mandolin, "The Heyday of the Mandolin in Europe", Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0195173376, 9780195173376 (page 90)
  2. "Zerega's Spanish Minstrels, c. 1890", British Library Evanion catalogue .Retrieved 2 January 2017
  3. "Saturday Popular Concerts" (1897) at forgottenbooks.com
  4. "The Troubadoars", Los Angeles Herald, Volume 27, Number 154, 6 September 1887, page 9
  5. "Local Intelligence", Marin Journal, Volume 27, Number 23, 18 August 1887, page 2
  6. "The Spanish Troubadours", Los Angeles Herald, Volume 27, Number 152, 4 September 1887, page 6
  7. Hauser, Mark, "Vaudeville, Popular Entertainment and Cultural Division in the Inland Empire, 1880-1914" (2013). CGU Theses & Dissertations. Paper 78, page 72
  8. "The Royal Spanish Troubadours", Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 58, Number 26, 20 September 1887, page 3
  9. "The Royal Spanish Troubadours", Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 58, Number 26, 20 September 1887, page 3, column 2
  10. "Entertainments &c", The Times (London, England), Thursday, Jun 21, 1888; pg. 1; Issue 32418, Col. 2.
  11. St James's Gazette, London, Wednesday 06 November 1895 ($$)
  12. "Court Circular", London Evening Standard, 19 August 1895, page 3 ($$)
  13. "Zerega and Hill are One", New York Journal, Monday, September 28, 1896.
  14. Edgar E Hill, "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch
  15. Marriage of Edgar E Hill and May D Keith, 21 Apr 1880, "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch
  16. "Unique Case Recalled", Indianapolis Journal, Volume 50, Number 55,Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 February 1900, page 8 column 3.
  17. Eduardo Zerega, "England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch
  18. Eduardo Zerega, "England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch
  19. "Eduardo Zerego, deceased", The London Gazette, 15 September 1922, page 6679
  20. "Zerega", England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, page 479
  21. Morning Post, London, Thursday 21 June 1894 ($$)
  22. "Chit Chat", Thursday 22 August 1895, The Stage', London, page 11 ($$)
  23. Harrods catalogue, 1903, page 1021, at www.lookandlearn.com (web)
  24. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 27 September 1911, page 1, at Singapore National Library Board (web)
  25. Alison Stephens, "Introduction", Souvenir de Bovio for mandolin and guitar by E. Zerega, published 2009, Astute Music, ISMN 979 57031 105 7
  26. "Hugo D'Alton mandoline accompanied by Clifton Helliwell piano", 1961, 7-in vinyl, Collectors Record label, Selection Records, JEC 507 (MusicBrainz entry)
  27. "Souvenirs For Mandolin And Guitar" Alison Stephens (mandolin), Craig Ogdon (guitar), 1 Sept. 2009, Chandos label, Catalog No. 10563 (web)
  28. "Is Mrs. Everett Louise Lansburg?", The Journal, New York, Monday May 18, 1896, page 1, column 7
  29. "Suicide of a woman", The Call (San Francisco), Volume 79, Number 161, 9 May 1896, page 1, column 6
  30. "Identifies the New York Suicide", The Chicago Daily Tribune, Vol. LV., No. 140, Tuesday May 19, 1896, front page
  31. "The Zerega Mystery", Rome semi-weekly citizen (New York), Friday May 22, 1896, page 2, column 5
  32. "Are Now Sure That She Was Mrs Hill", The Journal, May 20, 1896
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