Juignet and Drivet’s French Opera Company

Event Information

Venue(s):
French Theatre

Manager / Director:
Paul Juignet
Charles Drivet

Price: $.50 family circle; $1 general admission; $1 second tier; $2 parquet seats; $10 box

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
3 June 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

18 Oct 1866, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
aka maitre de chapelle
Composer(s): Paer
Text Author: Gay
3)
aka Toredor; Toreador
Composer(s): Adam
Text Author: Sauvage

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 18 October 1866, 7.
2)
Announcement: New-York Times, 18 October 1866, 4.
3)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 18 October 1866, 7.
4)
Review: New-York Times, 19 October 1866, 4.

 “Two agreeable little musical works were presented here last evening to a good, but not crowded audience. Both gave satisfaction. ‘Le Maitre de Chapelle’ is an amusing trifle excellently rendered by Mlle. Laurentis and Messrs. Edgard and Wilhelm. The lady is a sprightly soubrette, who acts with much spirit, and sings with skill. M. Wilhelm distinguished himself in his mock bravura scene, and was most ably supported in it by the lady we have just named. M. Edgard did the little that fell to his share in a creditable manner. ‘Le Toreador,’ the second work on the programme, comes from the pen of M. Adolphe Adam, one of the most ingenious and graceful composers of the French school. The plot is quite trivial, and is elaborated with more dialogue than is enjoyable to the musical portion of the audience. It turns on the efforts of an early lover of the heroine to make his ways into the house of the lady’s husband. In such cases the lover is always successful, and in the present instance we leave the trio comfortably housed together. Monsieur Adams’ music is extremely brilliant, and displays Mlle. Naddie’s executive powers to the best advantage. The lady’s voice is well adapted to this kind of role, and her success last night was more marked than on any previous evening. We noticed, however, an occasional tendency to sing flat, which we hope may yet be conquered. We have no such hope in the case of M. Vert, whose rotund voice is entirely marred by the most extraordinary vagaries in the way of intonation. M. Anthelme sang and acted exquisitely. All that this gentleman does is neat, elegant and persuasive. Both operettas were received with favor, and will doubtless be repeated.”

5)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 19 October 1866, 8.

This performance was better than the opening night. The actors are trying their best to live up to the demands of their roles and the audience was rewarding the effort with enthusiastic applause, often rather showing mercy than being completely honest. It was a small audience.

In Le Maitre de Chapelle Wilhelm, Edgard and Mlle. Laurentis did satisfactorily.  Le Toreador’s plot is rather dull except for a few funny scenes; however, the pleasant music makes up for it. Mlle. Staddie [sic] as ‘Caroline’ proved again that she is the backbone of the ensemble. Monsieur Anthelme [sic] performed just as well as on opening night.