French Opera Bouffe: La belle Hélène

Event Information

Venue(s):
Grand Opera House

Proprietor / Lessee:
James, Jr. Fisk

Manager / Director:
John F. [manager] Cole

Conductor(s):
Carlo Patti

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
18 August 2023

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

17 Apr 1871, Evening
18 Apr 1871, Evening
19 Apr 1871, Evening
20 Apr 1871, Evening
21 Apr 1871, Evening
22 Apr 1871, Matinee
22 Apr 1871, Evening

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Belle Hélène, La
aka Belle Helene, La; Schöne Helena, La; Schone Helena, La
Composer(s): Offenbach
Text Author: Halévy, Meilhac
Participants:  French Opera Bouffe Company;  Elise Persini (role: Orestes);  Marie Aimée (role: Helene);  Monsieur [tenor] Valter (role: Calchas);  Mme. Bageard
2)
Faust, "Je ris de me voir si belle"
aka Jewel song; Air de bijoux; O Dieu! Que de bijoux
Composer(s): Gounod
3)
"Aixa"
Composer(s): Brunel

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 16 April 1871, 13.

Benefit of Elise Persini on Thursday night. 

2)
Review: New York Herald, 21 April 1871, 3.

“This charming young artiste—the best in Mr. Fisk’s company—took her first benefit last night, appearing as Orestes in ‘La Belle Helene.’ She also sang during one of the entre-actes the Jewel Song from Gounod’s ‘Faust,’ and a new song, ‘Aixa,’ composed expressly for her by M. Brunel. Mlle. Persini has a light, agreeable voice, of better quality and superior cultivation to what one generally hears in opéra bouffe, and she has all the vivacity and sprightliness necessary for this kind of entertainment, without a particle of the coarseness and indelicacy that many of the Parisian celebrities unhappily bring to it. She deserved a better house than what greeted her last night, for there were many empty benches. Yet the audience made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in numbers, and the fair beneficiare was repeatedly applauded.”

3)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 29 April 1871, 30.

“Aixa” was composed expressly for Elise Persini.