Venue(s):
New-Yorker Stadt-Theater [45-47 Bowery- post-Sept 1864]
Conductor(s):
Adolph Neuendorff
Event Type:
Opera
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
4 February 2023
“The great beauty and intense power of Bellini’s music to Romani’s [illegible] tragedy of ‘Norma’ enable the listener to enjoy the work quite regardless of the character of the stage surroundings. ‘Norma’ is always, therefore, an opera to be slighted by the stage manager. While it really offers unusual opportunities for scenic display, it is invariably mounted in the most meagre manner. We can imagine a revival of ‘Norma’ in the style of the revivals of the Shakespearean drama by Mr. Booth. The rude temples where the Druids held their mystic rites, lit by the moon’s pale rays; the home of Norma, which is usually represented as typifying the received styles of Greek architecture; and the scene of the last act, all offer ample scope for superb scenic illustration. Of course, these opportunities have always been neglected, and will probably always be passed over.
“But the glorious music is perennially fresh. It may have been better sung, but it was seldom more attentively listened to than it was last night at the Stadt Theatre in this city. Mlle. Lichtmay took the part of the Druid priestess, and in all the more passionate scenes was eminently successful, though in the long-sustained passages of the Casta Diva she displayed an occasional incorrectness of intonation. The duets with Adalgisa (Miss Romer) were received by the audience with special favor, and an elaborate interpolated cadenza for two voices awakened the heartiest encore. Herr Bernard, a robust tenor of experience, made all that was possible out of the ungrateful part of Pollio, and Herr Franosch was an admirable Oroveso. The orchestra played with vigor; but in the lighter passages, such as the accompaniments to the airs known in the original version as In mia mano and Qual cor tradisti, the violin playing was lacking in delicacy. As we have before remarked of these German operatic performances, a pianissimo passage is almost unknown to the orchestra.
“The attendance last night was good, and the operatic enterprise at the Stadt shows evidence of permanent vitality. It deserves support, for it is marked by energy and variety.”
“Bellini’s opera of ‘Norma’ was performed Monday evening before a numerous audience. Mme. Lichtmay in the title rôle displayed the qualities of a true artist, and her efforts were appreciated by frequent applause and showers of bouquets. Her part in the duet at the end of the first and third acts was finely rendered and deservedly encored. She is gifted with a fine voice and knows how to use it. Bernard’s performance of the leading tenor’s part was satisfactory and at times excellent. Miss Romer as the priestess was not sufficiently effective. The orchestra under the leadership of Mr. Neuendorff did not perform the delicious music with all the smoothness than can be expected of it. Altogether the performance was very enjoyable.”