New-Yorker Stadt Theater Opera: Fidelio

Advertises Meyerbeer’s Robert le diable.

Advertises Beethoven’s Fidelio. With cast list and roles.

“The Germans, at the Stadt Theatre, are giving a fair variety of standard operas. ‘Fidelio’ is announced for this evening, with a familiar cast, including Johannsen, Rotter, Himmer and Hermanns.”

“German Opera.—Beethoven’s ‘Fidelio’ was given last evening at the Stadt theatre, exciting great enthusiasm by the symphonious music and general admiration by the correct and admirable acting. ‘Fidelio,’ as every one knows, is one of the most tragic as well as popular of all the operas which are now the favorites of the stage. The outline of the play reveals a singular case of malignant cruelty, wherein a Spanish official selects his opportunity to degrade and torture a former superior who has fearlessly exposed the latter’s misdeeds. Filled up as such a skeleton has been by Beethoven with rare musical effects, consisting of solos, duets, quartets and recitative emotional appeals, it received some additional beauties last evening in the histrionic talent which rendered it before a delighted audience. Mlle. Rotter, conspicuous as Marcellina, daughter of the jailer, exceeded herself in the exquisite voice with which she climaxed her high soprano notes. Her acting was neat, and, while her part was showy, there was a noticeable absence of over-doing anything. Mme. Johannsen played the difficult and dual part of Leonora and Fidelio with a success that called for the frequent applause of the audience. The other parts were well sustained throughout, and as a specimen of German opera the performance may be termed a great success.”