Maretzek Italian Opera: L’Elisir d’amore

“Tomorrow evening Pauline Canissa, who sang with the German troupe a few years ago, will make her first appearance this season in ‘L’Elisir d’Amore,’ supported by Errani and Coletti.”

“At the Academy of Music this evening ‘The Elixir of Love’ is to be produced for the purpose of bringing out Miss Pauline Canissa, a young lady who sang here a few years ago with a Germany company, and gave evidence of [illeg.] abilities which she has since been cultivating in Europe. The subscription season of twenty nights closes on Friday with the ‘Ballo in Maschera.’”

“No opera in which Signor Ronconi has so great a part as Dr. Dulcamara can be precisely a failure, but the performance of ‘L’Elisire d’Amore’ last night required all the exertions of that capital buffo to redeem it from falling flat, even with an audience more than inclined to be pleased. Most of the work of the season has been so deserving and, withal, so fortunate, that it would be almost miraculous were there not a drawback or two toward the close; and it is with no unkindly feeling toward any of the artists concerned that we feel compelled to say that this was not one of the golden triumphs of the series. Mlle. Pauline Canissa has a mezzo-soprano voice of not unpleasing quality and of very creditable cultivation, but she is neither interesting as an actress nor—so far as a single hearing justifies an opinion—remarkable as a singer. Her execution is at times extremely good, and her artistic intention without flaw; but the archness, the freshness, the charm of Adina are at present wanting in her impersonation, and we fear are unlikely to be forthcoming in the future. Mlle. Canissa will be more successful, we imagine, in the concert room than on the stage. It is, however, not altogether fair to judge an artist from a single character, and we shall be glad of any opportunity that may enable us to modify our opinion, and to speak as warmly of this lady as we should desire. Signor Ronconi acted Dr. Dulcamara with all his old spirit, and made his scenes pass off to an accompaniment of tumultuous laughter. Signor Errani was smooth and acceptable in Nemorino, and Signor Coletti was much the reverse in Sergeant Belcore.”

“Pauline Canissa, who has just returned from a visit to Europe, where she has been studying as well as singing in public, sang at the Academy of Music last night in Donizetti’s ‘L’Elisir d’Amore,’ and was received with favor. The little lady has improved in style and voice, and for the lighter operas is quite acceptable. She was last night supported by Ronconi, who was incomparable as Dr. Dulcamara, and by Errani, who sang with good taste as Nemorino, and by Coletti, who was indifferent as Belcore.”

Many words illegible throughout. “The ‘Elixir of Love’ last night brought forward Miss Pauline Canissa, who having sung here a few years ago in German opera as a [illeg…] passed through the usual routine of going to Europe and coming back again. We find her about [illeg…] and pleasant as she was before, and seems [illeg…] her vocalization, though her debut [illeg…] brilliantly successful. Errani and Coletti [illeg…]—the latter being especially bad. E[rrani?] will [illeg…] admirable acting saved the fortunes of the [illeg…] has done many a time before. The [illeg…].”