Mulder-Fabbri German Opera: Ivanhoe

“The recent successes of the managers of Italian opera, owing to the manner in which they presented opera, has had the effect of stimulating German managers to go and do likewise.”

“The Mulder-Fabbri troupe gave at the Academy of Music, last night, a performance of Marschner’s romantic opera ’The Templar and the Jewess.’ Under the title of ‘Ivanhoe,’ the origin of the plot will be more easily recognized. The music, which has already been heard both at the Stadt Theater and the Grand Opera House, is particularly rich in choruses for male voices, which were all well sung. A serio-comic aria for Friar Tuck was admirably rendered by Herr Franosch and won hearty applause, and a very melodious and spirited scene for the tenor in the last act also was favorably received. The cast included [see above]. Mr. Pedigram conducted, but on Wednesday evening he will yield the baton to Franz Abt, who will conduct Wagner’s ‘Tannhauser.’”

“Marschner’s opera of ‘Ivanhoe,’ recently sung at the Stadt Theatre for the first time in this country, and then reviewed at some length in these columns, was repeated at the Academy of Music last evening. The humor of Herr Formes, which was a conspicuous feature of the earlier recital of the work, was missed in yesterday’s representation, and Herr Bernard is scarcely an acceptable substitute for Herr Habelmann. Herr Muller’s personation of Bois Guilbert, Herr Richard’s Ivanhoe, and Mme. Fabbri’s Rebecca were, however, satisfying efforts.”

“The second representation of German opera at the Academy last night was attended by a good audience, notwithstanding the threatening condition of the weather. The opera was Marschner’s ‘Ivanhoe,’ first produced in this country at the Stadt Theatre, and afterwards given at the Grand Opera House. Madame Fabbri and Mr. Richard repeated their triumphs of the first night of the season, and other members of the company, Miss Rosetti and Herr Muller sang with great effect.”

“Marschner’s opera of ‘Ivanhoe,’ which was given last night at the Academy of music by the Fabbri-Mulder Opera Company, was not as well attended by our music-loving Germans as anticipated.”

“Marschner’s opera, albeit it has many strong elements to recommend it, is not popular with the Germans, to judge from the many vacant seats in the Irving place opera house on Monday night. Although it possesses many charming choruses and a few taking airs in the solo parts, the preponderance of heavy, over-elaborated music, and especially the uncalled for introduction of dialogue in the first act, detracts much from its popularity. Walter Scott’s charming romance might have been clothed in more graceful, heroic and attractive raiment than that which the German musician has thrown over it. The cast was the following [see above]. Mme. Fabbri and Mr. Muller were the most attractive features of the cast, and Miss Rosetti made a favorable impression in the rôle of the Saxon maiden. The chorus was spirited enough, but not always in accord with Mr. Predigam’s baton. Whether it was carelessness or the ponderosity of the German language, many of the singers were unwilling or unable to keep up to the tempo. The old English sporting phrase, ‘tis the pace that kills,’ is very applicable in German opera. Miss Clara Perl, the celebrated contralto, has been the bright star of the season so far, and her Fides, one of the most difficult and trying of Meyerbeer’s rôles, made a marked impression on the opening night.”