Anschütz German Opera: Fra Diavolo: Graff Benefit

Event Information

Venue(s):
German Opera House

Manager / Director:
Carl Anschütz

Conductor(s):
Carl Anschütz

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
16 September 2013

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

26 Feb 1863, Evening

Program Details



The Fra Diavolo Benefit of Graff was originally scheduled for 02/19/1863 but was postponed. No reason is ever given for the postponement.

Advertised as "Last Night of the Season." The Anschütz German Opera will give four additional Manhattan performances in April of 1863.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Fra Diavolo
aka Fra Diavolo, ou L’hôtellerie de Terracine Fra Diavolo, or The Inn of Terracina
Composer(s): Auber
Text Author: Scribe
Participants:  Anschütz German Opera Company;  Johanna Rotter (role: Zerlina);  Ludwig Quint (role: Fra Diavolo);  Anton Graf;  J. Kronfeld;  Frau Schaumberg;  Guglielmo Lotti;  Joseph Weinlich

Citations

1)
Announcement: New York Herald, 16 February 1863.
“The German Opera, under the able management of Mr. Anschutz, merits the liberal patronage which the public bestow upon it.”
2)
Announcement: New York Post, 16 February 1863, 2.
Benefit announced for 02/19/1863.
3)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 18 February 1863, 7.
Benefit announced for 02/19/1863.
4)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 18 February 1863, 7.
Benefit announced for 02/19/1863.
5)
Announcement: Courrier des États-Unis, 19 February 1863.
Benefit announced for 02/19/1863.
6)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 19 February 1863, 7.
No performance for 02/19/1863 is listed.
7)
Announcement: New York Herald, 22 February 1863, 1.
8)
Announcement: New-York Times, 23 February 1863, 5.

9)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 25 February 1863, 7.
10)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 25 February 1863, 7.
11)
Announcement: Courrier des États-Unis, 25 February 1863.
12)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 26 February 1863, 7.
13)
Announcement: New-York Times, 26 February 1863, 4.
“Graff, the buffo-basso of Mr. Anschutz’s company, will take his benefit to-night, when Auber’s delightful opera of ‘Fra Diavolo’ will be produced for the first time.”
14)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 26 February 1863, 7.
Cast.
15)
Announcement: Courrier des États-Unis, 26 February 1863.
16)
Review: New York Post, 27 February 1863, 2.

      “The German opera has been doing splendidly this week. For enthusiasm and numbers last evening’s performance of ‘Fra Diavolo’ was the crowning effort of the German opera company. What with the popularity of Her Graff, for whose benefit the performance was given, and the exceedingly attractive qualities of the opera, the attendance was unusually large and demonstrative. It is truly delightful to see a great work of French genius like that of ‘Fra Diavolo’ so admirably interpreted by German artists, and so highly appreciated by the public.

     Abounding in dramatic incidents and combinations, and overflowing with the most delicious, graceful and finished melody, ‘Fra Diavolo’ may be well regarded as a master work of comic opera. Under the earnest care of our enterprising Anschutz the orchestral part of the performance was faultless, and elicited well-merited applause. Frau Rotter, always so good, was perfectly charming as Zerlina, singing and acting so artistically that we scarcely missed the incomparable grace of the French woman. Herr Quint as Fra Diavolo was also admirable, and, indeed, the whole performance was a decided success.”