Maretzek Italian Opera: Le prophète

Event Information

Venue(s):
Academy of Music

Proprietor / Lessee:
Max Maretzek

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
16 May 2019

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

27 Mar 1869, Evening

Program Details

“Fancy skating by members of the New York Skating Association.”

Mlle. Wesmael and Mlle. Zuccoli performed in a ballet divertissement in the course of the opera.

Anna de la Grange’s farewell appearance.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Composer(s): Meyerbeer
Participants:  Maretzek Italian Opera Company;  Ettore Barili (role: Mathisen);  Theodore Habelmann (role: Jonas);  Giuseppe B. [basso] Antonucci (role: Zacharie);  Wilhelm Formes (role: Comte Oberthal);  Isabella McCulloch (role: Bertha);  Anna de La Grange (role: Fides);  Mlle., unidentified [dancer] Zuccoli;  Mlle. [dancer] Wesmael;  Alessandro [tenor] Boetti

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 26 March 1869, 7.
2)
Announcement: New-York Times, 27 March 1869, 6.

“Mr. Maretzek’s season at the Academy of Music ends tonight. The subscription was for twenty performances, and these have been given faithfully—with many supplementary ones. All the promises of the director have been fulfilled, and Mr. Maretzek is not at all disposed to grumble. It required a bold stroke to stem the torrent of Opera Bouffe, but Mr. Maretzek did so successfully. We are inclined to think that this form of entertainment has seen its best days. In a quiet way it is pleasant enough, but during its recent reign, it obtruded itself too aggressively. People were glad to hear Italian opera once more. Something, indeed, in the way of excitement was occasioned by the production of Meyerbeer’s ‘Le Prophete.’ The result was merited, for the work has been carefully put on the stage, and was well done in all general respects. This work will be played tonight, bringing the season to a close. It is, we believe, the farewell appearance of Mme. La Grange.”

3)
Review: New-York Times, 29 March 1869, 5.

“Mr. Maretzek’s season of twenty regular performances came to an end with the representation of ‘Le Prophète,’ on Saturaday evening, and all that now remains for the subscribers and the public at large is the ‘Bal d’Opera,’ which which takes place tonight… Concerning the performances on Saturday, it is only necessary to say that the matinée was very well attended, and that in the evening the lieges did not muster in their usual force. Saturday is becoming overworked. Only a few years ago it was a day of comparative composure and rest; now it piles on the community a double allowance of amusement. Almost every place of entertainment has a matinée.”