Maretzek Italian Opera: Faust

“‘Faust’ was given last evening to a house that was good, considering the season. The present week is not favorable to amusements, and there will be a falling off in the attendance at all the theatres until the glad Easter-tide once more releases the mind from its severer reflections. There is nothing whatever to be said of the performance. It resembled its predecessors in every respect. Miss Kellogg was in fine voice, and sang and acted beautifully.

…[Announcement regarding repertory for the remainder of the week].

We are glad to know that the campaign has been a prosperous one. It was undertaken under circumstances that were by no means assuring, and few men indeed, save Mr. Maretzek, would have plunged into the enterprise. It has demonstrated that there is yet a lively feeling for Italian opera, and we do not doubt that with this encouragement Mr. Maretzek will do vastly better next season.”

“Miss Kellogg’s Marguerite.—Miss Kellogg’s appearance last evening in the character of Marguerite in Gounod’s ‘Faust’ confirmed the impression which she had previously made. Her impersonation of this most interesting character of the modern lyric drama is beyond question a masterpiece. She seems to have stepped forth alive from the canvas of Ary Scheffer. Goethe himself would have been delighted with her perfect conception and her admirable rendering of the maidenly reserve and the womanly sweetness and dignity of Marguerite. Gounod could not but be completely satisfied with the flexible, pure and resonant, if not very powerful, voice, which, thanks to thorough training and an excellent method, does such full justice to the choicest and most difficult passages of music in his opera. A large and critical audience heartily applauded yesterday evening the high dramatic and musical talent displayed by Miss Kellogg in the reply of Marguerite to Faust in the Kermesse scene, throughout the scene in the garden, at the spinning wheel, in the jewel song, in the enchanting duet between Marguerite and Faust, in the cathedral and in the prison. As we have already had occasion to say, her acting in the role of Marguerite is faultless and superb, and her singing entitles her to the first rank as an American prima donna.”