La Grange-Brignoli Italian Opera: Norma

Event Information

Venue(s):
Pike's Opera House

Manager / Director:
Max Strakosch

Conductor(s):
Giuseppe Nicolao [cond.]

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
29 August 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

10 Jan 1868, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Composer(s): Bellini
Text Author: Romani
Participants:  La Grange-Brignoli Italian Opera Company;  Augustino Susini (role: Oroveso);  Bernardo Massimiliani (role: Pollioni);  Isabella McCulloch (role: Adalgisa);  Anna de La Grange (role: Norma);  Signor [tenor] Jiminez (role: Flavio)

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 10 January 1868.
2)
Advertisement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 10 January 1868, 6.
3)
Announcement: New-York Daily Tribune, 10 January 1868, 4.

At close of long review of opening night. “To-morrow night [sic] ‘Norma’ will be sung.”

4)
Review: New York Herald, 11 January 1868, 5.

“Pike’s Opera House—Norma.—The second night of Strakosch’s opera season, although not so crowded as on the opening night, was no less interesting in a musical point of view. Bellini’s ‘Norma’ is too well known to need any extended comment here. The greatest artistes that have ever trodden the boards of the lyric stage have won their most distinguished triumphs in this rôle, and among them may be counted La Grange. Last night she was the same grand artiste that electrified the good people of Gotham many years ago. Her voice was as clear, fresh and full of dramatic fire in the ‘Casta Diva’ as in former days, and in the scene in which she reproaches the faithless Pollio with his perfidy her acting was superb. From beginning to end her rendering of the difficult rôle was something that one might expect from the recognized queen of opera, and in every scene she displayed rare powers as an actress and singer. We have often heard the ‘Casta Diva’ given at the Academy, but never before in New York with more thorough appreciation of this beautiful air. There was no straining after effect, and none of the cold, methodical style of other vaunted singers. La Grange sang it with warmth, feeling and natural expression, and preserved the character of the Druid priestess in every measure. Next to La Grange we must speak of Miss McCulloch, who made a decided success in the rôle of Adalgisa. Her beautiful, fresh and sympathetic mezzo soprano voice gave effect to the part, and her acting showed considerable experience on the operatic stage. Massimiliani’s voice was rather shaky in the music of Pollio, and his acting betrayed want of [illeg.] and spirit. Susini made a capital Oroveso, and the chorus and orchestra were everything to be desired. The acoustical properties of the house were fully tested and proved entirely satisfactory.”

5)
Review: New York Post, 11 January 1868.

“‘Norma’ was performed last evening at the new Opera House, to a moderate but highly appreciative audience. This opera is so trite that nothing but an extraordinarily strong cast will excite much interest in its performance, and that of last evening was only strong in the leading character, which was of course assigned to La Grange. It was a severe test of her powers, but her success in enduring it should have surprised no one who heard her in ‘Il Trovatore.’ The music assigned her in the part of Norma has been so often chosen by great singers for the display of the extreme of their vocal resources that comparisons must have suggested themselves to all who heard La Grange last evening. She had no reason to deprecate such comparisons. Save in some instances where she evidently husbanded the resources of her voice, there was not the slightest evidence of an abatement of her powers. Her singing of the ‘Casta Diva,’ old and worn as this beautiful melody is, moved the audience to a degree of enthusiasm really unusual. Her acting was superb.

The support was not as good as we could have desired for so great an artist as La Grange. Miss McCulloch essayed the part of Adalgisa with moderate success. Her voice is fresh and often very pleasing, but her false notes damage the effect of her best performances. She has, however, improved since we last heard her at the Academy, and may yet become a prima donna. Signor Massimiliani was a fair Pollio, although acting is not his strong point. His voice, relieved somewhat from the hoarseness of the preceding evening, was rich, strong and melodious. Signor Susini’s deep and orotund tones were heard to good advantage.

Signor Jiminez, who took the part of Flavio, we never heard before, and should not grieve if we hever heard him again.”

6)
Review: New-York Times, 11 January 1868, 4.

“Musical. Pike’s Opera House.—The second performance of Mr. Max Strakosch's company took place last evening, and attracted an excellent and fashionable audience. It was not equal—the attendance—to the opening night; nor coud it be expected, considering the weather, which was in every way unpropitious. The opera was ‘Norma,’—a work which can only be revived under circumstances of extraordinary interest. Mme. La Grange made one of her earliest successes in this opera, and her repetition of the rôle of the Druidess naturally commanded attention. It won it again last night on its merits, Mme. La Grange is unquestionably the best artistic Norma we have had in this country. Her conception of the part is intense, and her rendering of the music is perfect. Mlle. McCulloch has a fresh and beautiful voice, and displays an intelligence which, with practice, will undoubtedly lead her to a high position in art. But she sang frequently out of tune, and indeed marred the effect of the duet of the last act by doing so. In the slow movement, however, she revealed the purity and great natural gifts which she undoubtedly possesses.

The other artists were equal to their parts; and the chorus and orchestra were sufficient.” 

7)
Review: New-York Daily Tribune, 11 January 1868, 4.

“Lagrange [sic] was so much better last night in Norma than she was the night before in Trovatore that we were tempted to wish she had chosen the former for her initial performance. The footprints of time seemed effaced. The pristine strength and mellowness were restored. It was the Lagrange of ten years ago whose delicious voice rang in our ears, whose magnificent setting fascinated our eyes. She was literally superb. We have no words too warm to praise her, and the enthusiasm of the audience was truly inspiriting. Miss McCulloch, as Adalgisa, fairly shared the honors of the evening. This young lady is rapidly winning a distinguished place in her profession, and a fine career is before her. She has rich natural gifts, perseverance, and intelligence. Signor Massimiliani has nearly recovered from the hoarseness which afflicted him on the opening night, and made an excellent impression, and Signor Susini showed fewer signs of wear than are usual with him. The house was a good one, but, considering the excellence of the performance, not so crowded as it ought to have been.”