Venue(s):
Academy of Music
Manager / Director:
Max Maretzek
Conductor(s):
Max Maretzek
Event Type:
Opera
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
29 August 2018
“Academy of Music.—The preference of the public for Medori and Mazzoleni, over the other artists of Mr. Maretzek’s troupe, was again demonstrated last evening, when ‘Norma’ was repeated, for the third time, to a house that is said to be the best of the season. The music of this work is certainly no longer attractive in itself, and must derive any fresh importance that it has from the extraordinary vitality infused into it by the artists we have named. The applause was so enthusiastic last evening, and the condition of all the singers so excellents [sic] that we shall not be surprised if ‘Norma’ attracts several more crowded houses.”
Part of larger article on the Maretzek season.
“New York, April 7.—The Academy has never, within my recollection, presented such a series of brilliant assemblages as during the past month of the Maretzek troupe performances…
The great hit of the season has been Norma. Medori has in the Druid priestess a grand rôle, and she is eminently qualified to interpret it. Norma has had three performances, and to such houses! ‘Standing room only’ is a very brief but indicative sentence, and one very rarely required at the opera, but it was brought out from its dusty resting place and hung upon the ‘outer wall’ of the Academy three successive nights—and what for? Norma, that well-known, well-thumbed, well-whistled, well-ground opera, with its melodies and gems sung threadbare, brought that dusty placard into service again. The performance was certainly well worth the commendation it received at the hands of the public and the press. Medori was magnificent. All the adjectives of the English language were brought into service, and as to Mazzoleni, words were not found indicative enough. The Adalgisa of Sulzer, and the Oroves [sic] of Biachi were in harmony with the success of the other rôles, and Norma flourished with undiminished splendor for three nights.”