to take it on. But the premiere of La Tempesta in 1850 was, at most, a succès d'éstime. Financial problems Meanwhile Lumley had extended his interests by taking on additionally the management of the Théâtre des Italiens in Paris, and was soon negotiating with the actress Rachel and Victor Hugo. Despite his frenzied activities he soon began to have problems paying his stars and was surprised when they began to walk out on him. The soprano Johanna Wagner, niece of the composer Wagner, was lured to Covent Garden, sparking off complex litigation. The resulting case, 'Lumley v. Gye', is still regarded as a fundamental basis of employment contract law. Lumley won the case, but it was for him a pyrrhic victory, resulting in financial loss. By 1853 the financial problems were overwhelming, and Lumley ran for cover to France. He was tempted back when in 1856, the Covent Garden Theatre once again caught fire, and for three years he resumed the leadership of Italian opera in London. But when Covent Garden was rebuilt as the same theatre that stands today, he was offered the tenure for £100,000 , but simply lacked the funds. Abandonment of the opera Lumley returned to the law, and in his later years wrote two works of fantasy – Sirenia; or, Recollections of a Past Existence (1863) and Another World (1873) – and a legal reference book. His previous successes were never to be repeated. He died in 1875, leaving less than £1000 in his will. References Notes Sources Lumley, Benjamin (1864), Reminiscences of the Opera, London Matthew, Colin, and Brian Harrison, eds (2000), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, OUP, External links 1811 births 1875 deaths British Jews Pre-Confederation Canadian emigrants to the United Kingdom Canadian Jews People from London Opera managers 19th-century Canadian Jews