Freischütz

Event Information

Venue(s):
New-Yorker Stadt-Theater [45-47 Bowery- post-Sept 1864]

Proprietor / Lessee:
Eduard Hamann [prop.-dir.]
Hermann Rosenberg

Conductor(s):
Adolph Neuendorff

Price: $1.50; $1; $.50; $.30; $.15

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
13 June 2017

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

08 Feb 1868, 8:00 PM

Program Details

Josy Courtini’s debut.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Freischütz, Der
aka Der Freischutz; The Freeshooter; Freyschutz
Composer(s): Weber
Text Author: Kind
Participants:  Wilhelm Formes (role: Caspar);  Wilhelm Groschel [tenor and conductor] (role: Max);  Josy [soprano] Courtini

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 02 February 1868, 4.
2)
Announcement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 05 February 1868, 8.
3)
Announcement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 08 February 1868, 8.
4)
Advertisement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 08 February 1868.

Full cast list.

5)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 09 February 1868, 4.

The event was completely booked. The opera well rehearsed.

6)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 10 February 1868, 8.

As expected, the event attracted a large audience due to the popularity of the Freischütz opera, and also curiosity of Courtini’s debut. If the expectations for the performance were not high, it was satisfactory. Courtini proved herself to be a correct singer with a pleasant stage appearance, who strives to portray her part authentically without frills. Her voice was compromised last Saturday, however. Mrs. Haffner played her role lovingly and cheerfully, which overshadowed her vocal shortcomings. Formes and Groschel both seemed a little indisposed as well. Once the few glitches in the performance are eradicated with attentiveness and diligence in rehearsals, a respectable result can certainly be expected with these skilled performers.