New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera: Fra Diavolo

“Auber’s comic opera, ‘Fra Diavolo,’ was produced last evening at this house. Herr Habelmann in the title rôle stood pre-eminently forward, and, with all the praise due to Herr Formes’ Giacomo, was the feature of the caste. His Fra Diavolo was very enjoyable even to those who have seen artistes of greater fame in the same part. He rendered the song entitled ‘Sehnsucht’ (longing), composed by Mr. Neuendorff, with dramatic expression and was deservedly applauded. Mlle. Haffner played and sang sympathetically, but her Zerlina was not quite up to the mark. Herr Homann as Lord Rocburg was funny—nothing more, and Herr Alsbröm’s Lorenzo was below mediocrity. Herr Neuendorff is a good, painstaking conductor, and has at his command a thoroughly efficient band, which is, however, not quite large enough for the size of the house. The chorus was very fair, and the ensemble seemed to satisfy the audience exceedingly. Altogether the opera at this theatre deserves to meet with adequate support from the public.”