Mapleson Cylinders

Mapleson Cylinders Lionel S. Mapleson (1865–1937), nephew of impresario “Colonel” James Henry Mapleson, was librarian of the Metropolitan Opera Co. in 1889–1937. On 20 Mar 1900 he purchased an Edison “Home” Model A phonograph, for $30, and on 21 Mar he made a cylinder of Suzanne Adams singing “Valse” by her husband Leo Stern. On 30 or 31 Mar 1900 he recorded the voice of Marcella Sembrich. During the opera seasons of 1901– 1902 and 1902–1903, Mapleson recorded on 120 cylinders segments of live…