Maretzek Italian Opera Miscellaneous Performance

“The miscellaneous performance given at the Academy of Music, last evening, was enjoyed by an audience as numerous as that assembled on the opening night of the season, and as brilliant as could be desired. The representation included the second act of ‘Fri Diavolo’ and the fifth of ‘L’Africaine,’ with Mme. Lucca as Zerlina and Selika; and an act from ‘Linda,’ and one from ‘Crispino,’ with Miss Kellogg in the leading rôles. The recitals of the complete works have had sufficient notice in this place to make any reference to the interpretation of a part of the operas superfluous. Mme. Lucca both charmed and amused her hearers in the bed-chamber scene so felicitously illustrated by Auber, and wrought the wonted impression by the pathos of her singing and acting under the shadow of the mancenilla tree. Miss Kellogg delighted, as usual, by her correct, fluent, and sparkling vocal execution of Donizetti’s and the Riccis’ music. Almost all the other artists of Mr. Maretzek’s company were concerned in the rehearsal.”

“The first season of Italian opera, in which Madame Lucca and Miss Kellogg were the principal features, closed last evening before a very large audience. The bill was of a miscellaneous pattern, consisting of [see above]. We have reviewed at length before the artistic efforts of Madame Lucca, in the above named operas of Meyerbeer and Auber, and of Miss Kellogg in the works of the Ricci brothers and Donizetti, and need only say here that both prime donne were in excellent voice and spirits, and that the audience showed a corresponding degree of appreciation, calling them out at the fall of the curtain.”