Strakosch Italian Opera: Opera Concert

Letter to the editor with a grievance that the author, who does not attend opera, would like very much to attend this concert, but is unable to do so because it is being held on an evening used by the churches for their weekly meeting.

Review: New York Herald, 21 December 1871, 10.

“An opera concert is generally interesting from the fact that a larger number of artists may be heard at the same time than at an operatic representation. Hence, in point of quantity, the most exacting must be satisfied with the long array of distinguished names on one of these concert bills; but rarely, even in London, are they of much musical value. The quality of an opera concert is of a very inferior order, as the artists neither sing with the same spirit or care as in the opera, and the programme is usually a hodge-podge of everything. The Nilsson management tried one of these concerts last night at Steinway Hall before a rather slim audience, and although all the artists of the troupe excepting Mlle. Duval—who was indisposed—took part in the concert, and were further strengthened by the accession of the distinguished pianist, Mr. Pruckner, and those clever little children, Willie and Joanna Hess, yet there was a feeling of disappointment experienced by the audience. The programme was divided into three parts, the first comprising [see above].”

Review: New York Post, 21 December 1871, 2.

“One of the most remarkable and attractive concerts ever given in this city took place at Steinway Hall last night, the entire Italian opera troupe, with Nilsson at their head, taking part, while other artists of note lent their assistance. Of these latter, Mr. Pruckner, the new pianist, was the most noticeable. He played with excellent taste and judgment. The Hess children also gave one of their pleasing, though necessarily immature performances, playing on the violin and piano-forte a duet from ‘Faust.’

Miss Nilsson sang superby the ballad and jewel song from ‘Faust’ and the ‘Miserere’ from ‘Trovatore;’ and in response to the calls for an encore gave her wonderful version of the ‘Old Folks at Home’—a bit of pathetic singing which is, in its way, without a parallel. Brignoli, who was in excellent voice, was encored in the ‘Don Pasquale’ serenade and in his part of the ‘Miserere’—two selections which he always sings as if he loved to sing them, and in which he invariably awakens warm enthusiasm. Indeed, these two melodies are to New York ears thoroughly identified with the charming voice of the man who for over a dozen years has been the pet tenor of New York.

M. Capoul sang the romanza from ‘Faust’ with much dramatic effect, and took part in duets. Bartolini, the new baritone, sung ‘Il Balen,’ and Miss Cary the ‘Faust,’ flower song, besides taking part in a duet with Brignoli. The chorus singers gave a vigorous rendering of the martial chorus in ‘Faust,’ and Maretzek’s orchestra gave efficient aid.

The concert, altogether, was a pleasant reproduction of operatic fragments without costume, and it gave an opportunity to those who do not frequent the opera itself to hear the favorite singers of the day in their best selections. But, strange to say, this opportunity was not very largely availed of by the public, and there were many empty seats in the hall. The idea of an ‘opera concert’ has not yet been fully grasped by the New York public.”

Review: New-York Times, 21 December 1871, 8.

“The course of Mr. Strakosch’s season of Italian opera was interrupted last evening by a concert, in which all his artists, Mlle. Duval excepted, took part. Miss Nilsson sang [see above]. Most of these performances have become familiar by repetition, and do not need criticism. M. Barre’s couplets from ‘L’Ombre’ are ‘taking,’ but rather commonplace; they are, however, prettily accompanied, and were very neatly sung. The overture to the opera is a mosaic of the principal airs, and is instrumented with an elaborateness to which the orchestra does not yet do full justice. Almost all the pieces were encored, and Miss Nilsson and Signor Brignoli were recalled with particular earnestness. A ‘Rhapsodie Hongroise,’ by Liszt, played by Mr. Pruckner, was also a portion of the entertainment.”