New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor

“Herr Wachtel sang in ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ on Saturday evening. The artist was not in as good voice as usual, and there was, on that account, more unevenness in his work than was anticipated. It was fortunate that the conspicuous numbers of the score are reserved for the close. We remember none of Herr Wachtel’s personations but has shown an increased steadiness of tone and execution on the part of the singer, as it progressed, and his recital of ‘Fra poco,’ by its beauty and expressiveness, justified, Saturday, the hope entertained at the rather unpromising outset of the representation. Herr Wachtel is to repeat his personation of the Master of Ravenswood to-night, when it is to be desired that he may have full control of his resources. His acting, of course, was exceedingly earnest and effective, Saturday, and its impression was acknowledged by much enthusiasm. Miss Rosetti is to be complimented rather for intentions and industry than for excellence in the rôle of Lucia. The part is one which Miss Nilsson, alone in this country, has the histrionic power—the question of vocalization being set aside—to fill satisfactorily.”