Maretzek Italian Opera: Lucrezia Borgia

Brief.

At the conclusion of a review of 12/01/69 performance of Guillaume Tell. “Tomorrow night ‘Lucrezia Borgia’ will be given, with Mme. Briol as the heroine, Miss Landsman as Orsino, Signor Errani, who was formerly much esteemed in the part, as Gennaro, and Signor Ronconi in his renowned impersonation of the Duke. The latter has long been ranked as one of Ronconi’s finest parts, and he will act it, no doubt, with surpassing effect.”

At conclusion of review for 12/01/69 performance of Guilliaume Tell. “[William Tell] makes way to-morrow night, however, for ‘Lucrezia Borgia,’ which promises to be a truly memorable performance, for it will bring back to us the favorite tenor Errani, who has not sung for several seasons; presents Ronconi for the first time in America, in his great tragic part of Duke Alfonso; introduces to the operatic stage a new contralto in Miss Jenny Landsmann [sic], and gives Madame de Briol and opportunity to be heard in a part well suited to her style and powers.”

“A very smooth and tripping interpretation of Donizetti’s ‘Lucrezia Borgia’ was offered last evening at the Academy of Music. The performance, while in few respects of a phenomenal character, was in general adequate and satisfactory, and if it did not always call for enthusiasm justified the measure of approbation which it received. Mme. Briol cannot, it is true, efface our recollections of poor Grisi in the character—even if the presence of Ronconi did not constantly suggest the thought of that great and lamented artist—but Mme. Briol gave us, notwithstanding, a strong, conscientious and often impassioned representation, and made up, in part, for her lack of certain sympathetic qualities, and for a consequence occasional hardness, by an unsparing use of her otherwise fine natural powers. The deficiency to which we refer, and the occasional absence of refinement which naturally is to be attributed to it, are the sole drawbacks that preven [sic] this painstaking artist from reaching a very high, if not the highest plane of excellence in her vocation. As it is, the abilities of Mme. Briol command respect, and not unfrequently admiration. Her Lucrezia, to our minds, is unequal to her Norma, but is, notwithstanding, a praiseworthy performance. Signor Ronconi surprised many who are accustomed to lament the partial deterioration of his voice by singing Alphonso with undeniable spirit and power; while his acting, as it is almost needless to say, was of the most finished description. The two airs in his opening scene were given with the dramatic force that always distinguishes this great actor and with a vocal energy reminding one of his palmiest days. Miss Jenny Landsman as Maffio Orsini, looked charmingly and sang with sweetness and abandon. This young lady has excellent qualifications for the lyric drama. She possesses a good stage face and figure, action, which, considering her experience, is remarkably unconstrained, and a contralto voice of good compass and calibre [sic], which has been sedulously trained in a good school. Her method is, perhaps, not altogether faultless, but she certainly shows abundant promise, and with study and practice will make, we doubt not, a capital addition to our limited stock of contralto dramatic sinrgers [sic]. Miss Landsman was received last night with marked favor, and, especially in the always popular Brindisi, was the recipient of liberal and merited applause. Signor Errani showed no diminution of the powers which have made him a favorite here in past times. His flexible and highly-cultivated tenor was heard to great advantage, especially in his first air and in the grand trio of the second act, and he infused into his acting at times a feeling and passion little indicative of his prolonged absence from the boards. His Gennaro was warmly approved, and old friends heartily joined with the general public in a reception of his efforts, which was no more than justly due. The chorus was occasionally defective last night, but otherwise the performance was of a sterling order, and beyond question in some particulars rose above public expectations.”