Maretzek Italian Opera: Crispino e la comare

“The favorite opera of ‘Crispino è la Comare’ will be given here to-night for the first time this season. The leading soprano rôle is one of the best played by Miss Kellogg, and is in fact entirely associated with her name. The house will undoubtedly be crowded to its greatest capacity.”

Ronconi is the best basso buffo in the world.

For the Saturday matinee.

“‘Crispino è in Comare’ was given here last evening to a thoroughly crowded and elegant audience. Miss Kellogg is so well known in the rôle that this result was, of course, to be expected. She has seldom, we think, been in better trim than she was last night. The character requires great neatness of action and considerable powers of vocal execution. A pleasant presence is imperative—and all these qualities are presented in Miss Kellogg, whose interpretation of Annetta is thoroughly charming. It was the occasion, too, of the rentrée of Sig. Ronconi, the most admirable buffo on the American or any other stage. The three representative bassos were well represented by Messrs. Antonucci, Barili, and the gentleman we have just named. The orchestra and chorus were, of course, excellent. They are always so under Mr. Maretzek’s direction.”

“Annetta in ‘Crispinio e la Comare,’ is one of Miss Kellogg’s favorite parts, and to hear her in it last night there was an audience which completely filled the Academy of Music, notwithstanding the storm that raged out of doors. There are few operas in which Miss Kellogg appears to better advantage than in this. She is sprightly, natural, and altogether pleasing from beginning to end, and the music is admirably suited to the character of her voice. In one or two particulars she was capitally supported. Ronconi was even unusually funny in the role of Crispino, and Antonucci the trusty did ample justice to the part of Fabrizio. Signor Barili, however, was a poor substitute for the sonorous Bellini with whom we are fond of associating the character of Mirabelano, and Lotti was as weak and insipid as mild milk-and-water. The performance as a whole was spirited, the audience was demonstrative, and the recalls were frequent.”

“Mr. Maretzek had another successful matinee at the Academy on Saturday afternoon, in which Miss Kellogg met with her usual flattering reception.”