Maretzek Italian Opera: Barbiere di Siviglia: Susini Benefit

“Our old-time favorite, Signor Susini, has enjoyed in his day a more flattering popularity than any other basso who ever sang here, and has richly deserved it. For a long while past he has been sick and almost voiceless; but with the restoration of his health we are gratified to be assured that his beautiful voice has returned, and he now appeals to his old friends with confidence that he can please them as of yore. Tomorrow he will have a benefit at the Academy of Music, and we will trust it will be a bumper. ‘The Barber of Seville’ will be given as a Matinée, and Miss Adelaide Phillipps will appear in the role of Rosina. This is generally considered her best part. Miss Alide Topp will perform on the piano between the first and second acts.”

“Signor Susini’s reappearance since his recover from his protracted illness, through the special attendance of Dr. Sass, of this City.”

“There will be a matinée at the Academy of Music to-day. It is for the benefit of the public’s old favorite Signor Susini, who has been sick for many months but is now recovered. The opera selected for the occasion is ‘Il Barbiere.’ Miss Adelaide Phillips is the Rosina. Between the acts Miss Topp will also play a solo on the piano.”

“On Saturday afternoon next there will be a noteworthy performance at the Academy of Music, for the benefit of one of the most deserving artists known to the New York public. The terrible afflictions which Signor Susini has suffered of late, both in his family and in his person, have commanded the deep sympathy of his many friends, who will be glad to express it by a hearty welcome at his benefit, and to assure themselves that the splendid basso voice with which he has so often entertained them is quite restored.

“The general public will be interested to know that the occasion is made, by the artist friends of Susini, a musical treat of a high order. The popular opera of ‘The Barber of Seville’ will be presented with Miss Adelaide Phillips as Rosina, supported by Lotti, Reina, Fossati and Mora. Miss Phillipps, who in Italy as well as here is recognised [sic] as having no superior in this charming part, will introduce, in the music lesson scene, one of those popular Cuban songs with which she has delighted and surprised so many musical circles. Miss Alide Topp will play between the first and second acts. Signor Nicolao will conduct the orchestra. In short, everything has been done to make the festival universally attractive—including the reduction of the price of seats to one dollar—so that we confidently expect to see the house crowded, and to learn that the benefit is substantial as well as complimentary.”

“There was not a very large audience at the Academy of Music on Saturday when Signor Susini was the recipient of a complimentary benefit. Rossini’s ‘Barber of Seville’ was played somewhat carelessly, and with insufficient resources. Miss Adelaide Phillips was the Rosina, and was received with much more favor than her effort deserved. The lady’s voice seemed to be fatigued, and much of her archness was forced. Signor Susini made his reappearance as Bartolo, and fully recovered the position which he had nearly lost of being the best basso in the country. A malignant throat complaint has disabled the gentleman for many months. It has at length yielded to medical treatment. We have rarely heard Signor Susini better than he did on Saturday.”

“A matinee performance of ‘The Barber of Seville’ at the Academy of Music on Saturday enabled us to welcome back to the lyric stage an artist who was formerly one of its best ornaments. For several years past Signor Susini has suffered from a disease of the throat, which has latterly enforced his complete retirement. The performance on Saturday was intended partly as a compliment to an old favorite, and partly as a means of assuring us of his complete recovery. We are delighted to say that it was successful in both points of view. Signor Susini’s noble bass has regained all its old power and correctness, and very nearly all its old sweetness, and it remained unimpaired all through the opera. He took the part of Dr. Bartolo, and Miss Adelaide Phillipps appeared in her favorite character of Rosina, dividing with the beneficiary the honors of the afternoon. Signor Reina filled the role of Figaro with vivacity and sang a great deal of the music to the evident satisfaction of the house, but his unfortunate propensity to get out of tune will prevent his ever becoming a favorite. Lotti was an amiable Almaviva, and Fossati a mild Basilio. It has lately been decided in one of our New-York petty courts that it requires at least 12 musicians to constitute an orchestra. Accepting this rather doubtful authority, we must conclude that there was no orchestra present on this occasion; but Signor Nicolao occupied the conductor’s seat and made noise enough to compensate for any deficiency of fiddlers.”