Maretzek Italian Opera: Crispino e la Comare

Miss Hauck essayed a new part last night, that of Annetta in the sparkling and popular Crispino. We can hardly say that we were surprised at her success, for this bright little lady has given us too many proofs of her versatility and talent to leave much opportunity for surprise. She sang it, and acted it exceedingly well, and will make it, if we are not much mistaken, one of her most charming roles. Ronconi was as full of life and drollery ass ever. Antonucci and Bellini were most acceptable as Doctors, and the minor parts were as good as we had any reason to expect. Miss Ronconi kindly took the part of the Fairy in place of Madame Fleury, who has transferred her services to the French Theater.”

Miss Hauck sang the part of “Anetta” for the first time with little time to study and only one rehearsal. Under these circumstances her performance was excellent. She sang the richly ornamented score with lightness and almost perfect pitch, paced her acting well in order to refrain from exaggerating; she was cheerful, pleasant and looked lovely. Hauck was better than her predecessor Kellogg and easily much better than “the clumsy” Peralta. (…) Ronconi was delicious despite his exaggerations at times; especially at the end of the first act. The conversations with the members of the orchestra and friends in the audience are amusing for a moment; yet become unpleasant when too long.