Benefit Operatic Performance

“A musical treat, in the shape of capital singing and acting, was given last evening at the New York Stadt Theatre, to a select, appreciative, but not over numerous audience, the occasion being a benefit operatic performance to Herr Carl Speigler, Fritz de la Fontaine, Misses Pauline Bredelli, and Louise Beckman and others. The programme consisted of [see above], and fourth act of ‘La Juive’—in which Messrs. Carl Speigler and Carl Bernhard appeared to great advantage. Herr Speigler won immense applause, and richly deserved it. He is, without exception, the best basso since the (palmy) days of Carl Formes and Lablache. Miss Beckman is a fine actress, and possesses a splendid voice, while Miss Bredelli sings very well in high register, but her notes although sweet, are nevertheless very weak. Carl Bergman, who volunteered to lead the music, left the abandoned artists in the lurch. Hence, Herwig conducted a wretched orchestra, which made it exceedingly difficult for the artists to keep any sort of time.”