La Grange-Brignoli Italian Opera: Don Pasquale

“Pike’s Opera House.—Night too cold for so light an opera as ‘Don Pasquale;’ this house consequently—only thin house of this season. Artists, however never better. Susini, the ponderous, as the Don was superb; Sarti as Malatesta was good, Brignoli as Ernesto was very fine and Miss Phillips as Norina was delightful. Altogether the performance was spirited and excellent. A low temperature evidently warmed up the singers. This is the last week of the season at Pike’s. [list of operas to be performed]. And what then? Why, then, as we learn, Strakosch transfers his singing birds to the Academy, Fourteenth street, where it is hoped by many admirers of ‘La Favorita,’ he will give us La Grange and Brignoli is this sterling opera, considering the splendid reception of La Grange as Leonora in St. Petersburg with Mario, and because in this country Brignoli’s voice was not eclipsed by the visit of Mario, nor was La Grange by Grisi. But why does Strakosch to the Academy? Is it because Pike’s splendid house is too far from Broadway for a cold night, or because it is engaged by other parties, or because the Academy company have made an offer not to be resisted, or how? We cannot say, but we dare say that as competition is the life of trade, we shall, between these two opera houses, haved the best that is goibng and the choicest singers of America and Europe. Strakosch has done well at Pike’s, and we guess that only some tempting offer would draw him off to the Academy.” 

“The bitter cold weather of last evening prevented the usual attendance at Pike’s Opera House. But those who were present enjoyed one of the most spirited performances of the season. The broad humor of ‘Don Pasquale’ was given with more than usual vivacity and piquancy, thanks to the inspiration of Miss Philips’s acting, as Norina, which has a stirring effect on Susini. The latter has not appeared to as much advantage this season as in the character of the bulky and amusing Don Pasquale. Brignoli’s voice was in superb condition, and his singing had more than its usual animation. In the delicious serenade song, and in the final duet with Miss Phillips, the finest qualities of the sweetest and purest of tenor voices were nobly displayed.”

“Donizetti's sparkling opera of ‘Don Pasquale’ was played at Pike’s Opera House on Monday evening. Either the weather was too cold or the music too light for the occasion. The attendance was only moderate, but, as is usual in such cases, the performance was capital.  Brignoli was in his best mood; and sang the famous serenade with persuasive mellifluousness. Miss Phillips was an arch and vivacious Norina, and both Sarti and Susini were both good in their respective parts. The opera indeed was enjoyable in every sense of the word. It is a pity that there is not a better taste for works of this unpretending and agreeable character. The tendency of the moment, however, is in a different direction, and it is useless to complain.”