Articles on the forthcoming Hess English Opera Company season

“The success of Mr. Theodore Thomas’s [sic, should be Hess – correction printed on page 4, see separate citation] new musical enterprise, of which readers of the Evening Post have for some days been in possession of a full statement through the columns of this paper, is now so far assured as that of any brilliant venture can be before the test of practice has been applied. It is not now essential to discuss Mr. Thomas’s [sic] future plans in future detail, for that which will interest the musical public most is comprised in the fact that Miss Kellogg is to appear in English opera. Old New Yorkers will remember the days when English opera, with Louisa Pyne, Madame Bishop and other and even more magnetic names, including Caridori [sic] Allen and (if our memory rightfully serves) the lamented Malibran, held the Park Theatre season after season; they may now hope for another season which, enlisting the first artists, will revive the prestige of the ancient, and illustrate anew the capacity of English opera.

The plans of Mr. Thomas [sic] involve a revival of English opera and a direct attempt at popularizing the opera as an institution in this country. He begins with English opera, and Miss Kellogg, the best of American artists, as the prima donna. In many respects a successful rival in Italian opera to the great prime donne of the day, both at home and abroad, her appearance in English opera will tend exceedingly to give prestige to the revival, and is in some degree a response to wishes often expressed by the press and the public.

Whatever may be the financial issue of the venture, the value of the enterprise is such as to deserve the most cordial encouragement from all those interested in the musical art.

The artists selected to support Miss Kellogg are some of them English and new to this country, but many will be recognised [sic] as favorites. The troupe will be as follows: Miss Kellogg and Mrs. Jenny Van Zandt, prime donne sopranos, and Mrs. Isabella Motte, seconda donna; Mrs. Zelda Seguin, contralto; Herr Theodore Habelmann, Messrs. Wilford Morgan and Joseph Mass, tenors; Messrs. William Carleton and Gustavus Hall, baritones; Messrs. Henry Peakes, Ellis Pyse and Edward Seguin, bassos; Mr. Edward Ryloff, conductor. Messrs. Morgan, Mass, Carleton and Ryloff are all well known in the London musical world, and there is reason to hope will become favorites in America. A well organized chorus and orchestra, and as complete an ensemble as can be presented will, the manager promises, reinforce these main attractions. The operas present a list of popular works, and include some pieces never before given in English. The following is the repertory, so far as decided upon, though several other operas may be added during the course of the season: ‘Faust,’ ‘Lucia,’ ‘Bohemian Girl,’ ‘Maritana,’ ‘Traviata,’ ‘Mignon’ (for the first time in English), ‘Trovatore,’ ‘Crispino,’ ‘Martha,’ ‘Sonnambula,’ ‘Daughter of the Regiment,’ ‘Rigoletto,’ ‘Fra Diavolo,’ ‘Rose of Castille,’ ‘The Talisman’ (the new posthumous opera of Balfe), founded on Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Tales of the Crusaders,’ never presented on the stage; ‘Don Giovanni,’ and ‘The Marriage of Figaro.’

The season will open at the Philadelphia Academy of Music on Monday, October 6, and continue for two weeks in that city. The company, which will be known as the Kellogg Grand English Opera Company, will probably not sing in New York before the holidays.”

Brief. “Mr. Wilford Morgan, tenor; Mr. Joseph Mans, tenor; Mr. William Carleton, baritone, and Mr. Edward Reyloff, conductor, of the English Opera Troupe arrived by the Abyssinia yesterday. Mme. Van Zandt is expected to-morrow by the Oceanic.”