French Opera: La Périchole

Event Information

Venue(s):
Fifth Avenue Theatre (1867-73)

Proprietor / Lessee:
James, Jr. Fisk

Manager / Director:
L. [bass, manager] Benedick

Conductor(s):
E. [conductor, violinist] Colonne

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
8 November 2019

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

12 Jun 1869, Evening
12 Jun 1869, 2:00 PM

Program Details

Desclauzas replaced Aujac in the role of Piquillo; it is her American debut in the role. The Morlacchi Ballet Troupe performed “their original cancan.”

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
aka Perichole
Composer(s): Offenbach
Text Author: Halévy, Meilhac
Participants:  Morlacchi Ballet Troupe;  French Opera Company;  Irma Marié (role: La Périchole);  Marie Desclauzas (role: Piquillo)
2)
aka Can can
Participants:  Morlacchi Ballet Troupe

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 11 June 1869, 7.

“First appearance at this theatre of Mlle. DESCLAUZAS PIQUILLO IN LA PERICHOLE [sic].”

2)
Advertisement: New-York Daily Tribune, 11 June 1869, 7.
3)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 12 June 1869, 78.

Opera Bouffe retains possession of the boards of the Fifth Avenue Theatre, with Irma and Aujac in the leading rôles. The operas to be presented this week consist of ‘Barbe Bleue’ and ‘Perichole.’”

4)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 12 June 1869, 12.
5)
Announcement: New York Herald, 12 June 1869, 7.

“Mons. Aujac made his last appearance last night at the Fifth Avenue theatre [sic] as that vocal but too much married monster Barbe Bleue. He also leaves for Europe in a week or two. Mlle. Desclauzas has been engaged by Mr. Fisk to fill his place at the ‘gilded bandbox.’ The opera bouffe season at the Fifth Avenue theatre will terminate on next Saturday evening.”

6)
Announcement: New York Herald, 12 June 1869, 7.

“Mlle. Irma, like Mme. Rose-Belle [sic], contemplates remaining in this country. They will probably form a copartnership [sic] and give us opera bouffe next season on their own account.”

7)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 12 June 1869, 7.
8)
Advertisement: New-York Daily Tribune, 12 June 1869, 7.
9)
Advertisement: Courrier des États-Unis, 12 June 1869.
10)
Review: New York Post, 14 June 1869.

“Last Saturday Mlle. Desclauzas took the place of M. Aujac at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, singing the tenor music of Piquillo an octave higher, and in the soprano register. Muscally speaking this was a preposterous absurdity, and a sacrifice of all the composer’s intended effects, especially in the duets and concerted pieces; yet Desclauzas acted so well, and was altogether so charming and fascinating, that the applause was as great as if the brilliant Aujac himself had been on the stage. ‘La Perichole,’ with its curious cast, will therefore be repeated every evening this week and at the Saturday matinée.”