New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera: Le Postillon de Lonjumeau

“For the benefit of Mr. Habelmann, the popular young tenor, Adolphe Adams’s [sic] opera [illeg.] ‘Postillion of Lonjumeau’ was given last night at the German Theatre with good effect, though neither the German language nor the German performers are well adapted to the finesse and delicacy of French music.”

“STADT THEATRE—BENEFIT OF THEODORE HABELMANN.—This favorite tenor, who has long enjoyed remarkable popularity on the German stage, selected for his benefit last night the brilliant and sparkling opera of adolphe Adam, ‘Postillon of Lonjumeau.’ The cast was as follows:  [cast and roles given]. The performance was much better than one could expect, considering that the German language is hardly suitable for the light, champagne-like music of the opéra comique. Mme. Lichtmay’s powerful dramatic style of acting and singing overweighted the bright roles of the hostess and fine lady. In characters like Norma and Lucretia Borgia her talents find their legitimate field; but she is decidedly out of place in Adam’s music. She made a mistake, also, in introducing the beautiful waltz song from ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ by Gounod, in the second act, as it is utterly unfitted for her voice. Habelmann, Hötzel and Franosch, however, were admirable in every respect. The first introduced a beautiful song, written for him by the conductor of the orchestra, Adolphe Neuendorf. The house was crowded to its utmost capacity, which is saying a great deal, as it accommodates some hundreds more than any other theatre in New York. The chorus and orchestra attached to the present company are really excellent, and form a favorable contrast to the same features we have been accustomed to in Italian opera in this city."