New-New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera: La Juive

“A drama which deals with the highest and noblest emotions—with religious enthusiasm, national feeling, filial affection and maidenly love—is that to which Halevy set music, and which is more generally known under its French title, ‘La Juive.’ For a generation this opera has maintained a high mark among the more thoughtful and elaborate of lyric works. Its melodies, though never heard outside of the opera, are rich and numerous, and its orchestration is varied and masterly. It has been given here by various Italian and French companies, the most successful performances having been those at Winter Garden, when Fabbri and Stigelli took the leading parts.

“Last night ‘Die Jüdin’ was given for the second time at the Stadt Theatre, with Mlle. Lichtmay, Mlle. Romer, and Messrs. Himmer, Habelman and Franosch as the principal singers. As Rachel Mlle. Lichtmay has made one of her most deserved successes. She reveals in the part a great wealth of voice, and at times seems to be thoroughly permeated with the dramatic element of the character she represents. We could wish to see more [illegible]. Mlle. Lichtmay’s performances only require contrast and shading to bring her closely up to the rank of great prima donna.

“Himmer sang the music of Eleazar with earnest intelligence, though at times he was obliged to alter the music to avoid certain high notes beyond his compass. All the other performers were satisfactory. The orchestra, however, was over liberal in superabundant noise, and the most graceful points of orchestration were marred by this lack of delicacy.”