Articles on the May 1870 Brignoli Italian Opera season

Simply lists the operas to be performed and some of the singers who will take the leading roles in each. Notes that “Miss Kellogg, for the first time, as Leonora [in Trovatore], cannot fail to attract an overflowing audience.”

Brief announcement that lists the programmed operas.

“As soon as the Rosa troupe has gone, Brignoli opens the Academy for a campaign, which we believe is to be conducted on the basis of three nights any [illeg.], and more if we want them. With him are Miss Kellogg, Madame Gazzaniga, Miss Clara Perl, Susini, and Petrilli.”

Brief; lists singers.

“…In the Azucena of Madame Gazzaniga we shall undoubtedly have a superb lyric delineation. Of course the return of Brignoli, and that too in the opera in which in 1855 he first appeared before an American public, will be an occasion of no ordinary interest.”

“It appears that we are to have another short spell of Italian opera, and in the Academy of Music at that. There are many shadows of non-success hanging over that institution, but we hope that they will be broken by the bright sunshine of this new enterprise. A long season at this time of the year would, of course, be most unwise, and certainly unprofitable; therefore the manager, Signor Albites, promises only three nights, and one matinée of opera. The artists are known to the public for their excellent reputation on the lyric stage, and will be all the more welcome because we are prepared to enjoy a class of talent whose merit cannot be disputed. Madame Gazzaniga, Miss Kellogg and Brignoli are good names to guarantee a fair bill of opera, beginning on Monday night with ‘Il Trovatore,’ Gazzaniga singing the contralto part of Azucena and Miss Kellogg for the first time undertaking the character of Leonora. There is a novelty about this cast which must attract attention, and will be worth a little curious criticism. For the other performances we notice that ‘Martha’ and ‘Lucia’ are selected. In the former a débutante, Miss Clara Perl, is announced.

“This brief spurt of Italian opera is probably but a prelude to a full winter season which is to follow. Italian opera has not paid in this city—neither the managers nor the public having reaped any advantage from it—but the reason is very plain. The management was wretched and the stockholders were voracious. We trust that the attempt to give us an early summer taste of opera will be encouraging enough to induce some competent manager to organize an acceptable company for a good winter season.

“Meantime the song birds, when the coming week’s work is over, will betake themselves to the fashionable watering places, there to delight the ears of the loungers by sea shore and spa with their delectable melody. We wish the undertaking of Signor Albites and his company all success. He has secured admirable artists, and with proper attention to the orchestra and chorus can hardly fail to give satisfaction.”

“[T]he favorite tenor, Brignoli, with his excellent Italian opera company, comprising such artists as Miss Kellogg, Miss McCulloch, Mme. Gazzaniga and Miss Clara Perl, will appear at the Academy of Music this evening in ‘Trovatore’ and on Tuesday in ‘Martha.’ On Friday ‘Lucia’ will be brought out with a splendid cast. The recognized talent of the principal artists of this company is a good guarantee of the success of the season.”

“After all the flickerings of Italian opera during the last winter and this spring we are to have really one [sic] short season of the genuine article. Our fashionable people are not to go away to the places of summer resort before they have tasted this most delightful of all amusements. The company is a sort of combination one, to which the best and most popular singers belong. It is under the direction of Albites; but that famous tenor, Brignoli, is the head and front of it. Brignoli comes back fresh to New York, after a successful tour to California, the South and the West. He will uncage his sweet birds at the Academy of Music to-night in ‘Trovatore,’ when he, Miss Kellogg, Gazzaniga, Petrili and Fossati will perform. This cast cannot fail to fill the Academy. Then on Tuesday evening we are to have ‘Martha,’ with Brignoli again, and that charming, fresh and popular American prima donna, Miss Isabel McCulloch, with a new importation from Europe, Miss Clara Perl, who, it is said, has a splendid voice. With ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ on Friday, and a succession of other attractive operatic entertainments afterwards, the fashionable world of New York ought to be very thankful.”

Very brief announcement for the season, listing only some of the operas programmed for the season.

A general review of multiple performances.

“We are glad to notice that the enterprise of Brignoli has been rapidly growing to a great success. Not only have the performances in the Academy here been most enthusiastically sustained all through the three nights, but in the twin establishment in Brooklyn the sedate dwellers in that grave City of Churches on Thursday night actually waked themselves up to a larger display of enthusiasm at Kellogg’s fine acting, Brignoli’s dulcet notes and Gazzaniga’s remarkable rendering of the Gypsy than they ever did on the occasion of a Sunday school exhibition. This is certainly a triumph for Italian opera and an excellent endorsement from Brooklyn. But, then, ‘Trovatore’ was superbly given and the house was crowded almost beyond its fair capacity. The management has, so far, been wise in the selection of those operas which best developed the talents and power of the troupe. Miss Kellogg’s first effort in a tragic part gave the public a new idea of what she could accomplish on the lyric stage. She has made a hit, and the management has exhibited much sagacity in giving her the opportunity so to do. The old favorite of the New York public, Mme. Gazzaniga, has reinstated herself in the good graces of her old friends by the assumption of a new role. She has, indeed, never been forgotten here throughout her many wanderings, and is gladly welcomed back again. In Miss Isabella McCulloch we have an artiste of rare talents—an artiste grown up among us, created, as it were, by earnest study, a fair specimen of that American spirit which halts for no obstacles and submits to no obstructions in the path that leads to success. Miss McCulloch is, therefore, to-day one of the most promising gems of American art, with a future before her that looks very bright for a young prima donna.

“After the dreary gap in Italian opera it is pleasant to see a good company on the boards again, directed by a prudent management. We trust that the encouragement they have received will lead to the establishment of a good season for the winter. It is evident that the public are willing to sustain Italian opera if it is only well managed. But public taste demands that we shall have talent of a first class order. Who has enterprise enough to give it to us?”

“The first week of the Italian Opera troupe, under the management of Brignoli and Albites, has proved a great success. The public have testified to their appreciation of good artists by crowding the house every night. Even the stagnant reputation of the Academy did not keep them away, and that is saying a good deal for the popularity of the management. [Lists upcoming performances.] A fresh instalment [sic] of artists is announced to add to the already excellent list, embracing Brignoli, Kellogg, McCulloch, Gazzaniga, Petrelli, Fossati and Lefranc. This looks encouraging for Italian opera under judicious management. Can we not hope that when the summer season at the watering places is over there may be a fall and winter season of opera inaugurated? The public seem disposed to encourage such an enterprise.”