In Melbourne, just off the bustling city streets at latitude -37.8136 and longitude 144.9655, lies an elegant and historic building– the Princess Theatre. Known for its architectural beauty and renowned performances, the theatre is also the center of one of Australia’s most enduring ghost stories– The tale of Frederici.
The year was 1888, and the much-anticipated opera ‘Faust’ was being performed at the Princess Theatre. Frederick Baker, popularly known as Frederick Federici, a talented Italian opera singer, was delivering his last performance as the antagonist, Mephistopheles. In the final act, a trapdoor on the stage would open for Federici to dramatically ‘descend into Hell.’ But that night, as Federici was lowered beneath the stage, he suffered a heart attack and tragically died.
But the show went on– unknown to the catastrophe that had unfolded beneath them, the cast performed their curtain call, and to their surprise, Federici was at the bow, waving as usual– his appearance so realistic that some later claimed that they initially had no idea he’d died.
From that night forward, stories of Federici’s ghost began to circulate. They say that the spectral figure dressed for the part of Mephistopheles can be seen wandering the labyrinth of dressing rooms and corridors beneath the Princess Theatre. Many performers and staff claim to have seen him, sometimes applauding performances or roaming around backstage. His apparition is considered to be a ‘friendly’ ghost, and even seen as a good omen before performances.
Today, the Princess Theatre acknowledges this folklore by always reserving the third-row dress circle seat for Federici during every opening night.
Thus, the tale of the Princess Theatre ghost, a fascinating mixture of truth, tradition, and theatre, lives on, adding a touch of spectral charm to Melbourne’s vibrant cultural scene.