Venue(s):
Olympic Theatre
Proprietor / Lessee:
Samuel Colville
James E. [manager, proprietor] Hayes
Manager / Director:
Samuel Colville
James E. [manager, proprietor] Hayes
Carlo A. Chizzola
Conductor(s):
Charles [conductor] Van Ghel
Price: $1; $.50-$1 extra reserved; $.50 family circle; $10, $15, $18 boxes
Event Type:
Opera
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
8 November 2024
“As Boulotte, in Offenbach’s eccentric version of ‘Blue Beard,’ Mdlle. Aimee achieved her earliest triumphs. Her assumption of that part last evening was one of the most notable events of her present season at the Olympic. There was a good audience in attendance, but the excitement consequent upon the election marred the perfect success of the occasion. M. Juteau as Barbe Bleue met with the same success that he obtained as Piquillo and Fritz. The performance throughout was more than acceptable.”
“The finest representation of a brilliant season of opera bouffe was given in presence of a very large assemblage, at the Olympic Theatre, Tuesday evening. ‘Barbe-Bleue’ has substantial claims to the title of Offenbach’s most durably-popular opera. The libretto which the composer has illustrated is amusing, and the music going hand in hand with the words is not only vivacious, but, at many points, melodious and elegant. An excellent company is required for the recitation of the story and the score, and for those of our readers who are acquainted with the opera, it will be praise sufficient, now that our space is limited, to mention that ‘Barbe-Bleue’ was capitally interpreted, without entering upon a detailed account of the rehearsal. It is impossible, however, not to cite Mlle. Aimée’s personation of Boulotte, and M. Juteau’s picture of Barbe-Bleue, as admirable performances. Mlle. Aimée’s singing and acting were on a plane throughout the representation, and M. Juteau’s vocal labors would have been quite as satisfactory as his exceedingly intelligent and spirited histrionic efforts, had he not occasionally forced a voice which has a freshness, a sweetness, and a volume too rare among tenors to be imperiled by an attempt to add to these qualities unnecessary power. All the principal numbers assigned to these artists were redemanded, and so was the dashing finale of act the first, which, like most of the concerted pieces, was done with delightful briskness and unanimity. The success of ‘Barbe-Bleue’ warranted the repetition of Tuesday’s programme last night, and its retention this evening. Mlle. Aimée, M. Juteau, and the whole company could not be heard to more advantage than in the work last produced.”
“On Tuesday ‘Barber Bleue’ was sung for the first time by this troupe and gave possibly better satisfaction than any other opera they had produced. The libretto is amusing and the music is vivacious and elegant. M’lle. Aimee achieved a noted success in her representation of Boulotte, which was vivacious and even throughout. Juteau’s performance of Barbe Blue must be recorded as one of his most admirable performances, his acting being spirited, and his vocalization all that could be desired. All the principal numbers of both these artists were re-demanded, as was the sprightly finale of the first act.”