Parepa-Rosa English Opera: Don Juan

Brief: “The performance of ‘Don Giovani’ at the Academy of Music, last evening, attracted, in spite of the inclement weather, a very large audience. Mme. Parepa-Rosa and her associates have done this opera so often that their work needs no praise at this late day.”

“Don Giovanni in English dress, though certainly a trifle anomalous, loses after all little in musical regards. The gay audacity of the libertine Don, and the comic effrontery and cowardice of Leporello, come a little coldly off in our ‘northern guttural,’ but music vails all defects, and the wondrous worth of Mozart’s delightful harmonies defies all obstacles of dialect or grammar.

In the representation of last night Mme. Parepa did ample justice to the noble music of Donna Anna. In person, temperament, and vocal method she is especially fitted for the interpretation of this lofty dramatic and musical creation. In giving the so often omitted ’letter air,’ she returned to the better traditions of the opera, and her execution of the number was, perhaps, the most admirable feature of her performance for the evening.

Mme. Vanzini [Van Zandt] sang the music of Zerlina, clearly and correctly, but with no great dramatic leffect, and Miss Doria made praiseworthy efforts to fill the part of Donna Elvira. Mr. Campbell was dignified, almost too much so, as the Don, but his fine voice and correct singing made amends for any slight defects in action. Mr. Aynsley Cook gave new proofs of his decided talent for buffo acting, in Leporello.”

Presentation of a handsome gold enameled bracelet to Mme. Rosa at the Saturday matinee performance.