Notre Dame
Event Information
Venue(s):
Lyceum Theatre
Manager / Director:
W. L. Mansell
Conductor(s):
Anthony, Jr. Reiff
Price: $1 second balcony chairs, general admission; $2 orchestra and balcony sofas; $.50 gallery; $25, $20, private boxes
Event Type:
Play With Music
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
3 February 2025
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
11 Sep 1873, Evening12 Sep 1873, Evening
13 Sep 1873, Evening
Program Details
Mr. Espinosa, ballet director.
Performers and/or Works Performed
Citations
Advertises opening night as 09/08/73. “The music, written and selected particularly for the play, will be found appropriate as well as beautiful.”
"...Mr. Mansell assures us that the cast, choral and terpsichorean effects, scenery and music referred to in the advertisements will be found in keeping with the magnificence of the house, to which frequent allusion has already been made.”Mr. Mansell assures us that the cast, choral and terpsichorean effects, scenery and music referred to in the advertisements will be found in keeping with the magnificence of the house, to which frequent allusion has already been made.”
On the venue and what changes to expect with its reopening.
Praises that Mansell is “taking pains to defeat the ticket speculators. There is a double pleasure in attending a theatre the manager of which has a sensitive appreciation of the public’s rights.”
The Lycuem Theatre will open tomorrow (09/08/73). “…In a few hours then, we shall have to deal with an event awaited for upward of two years with considerable interest. In many respects it can be looked forward to with a certainty that it will be agreeable and memorable. [Goes on about Mansell and his management and preparations.] …There are to be ballets and pageants, planned and carried under the supervision of M. Espinosa, late of Covent Garden. And, to cap the climax, a great deal of choral and instrumental music to accompany the story, Mr. Reiff, Jr., directing.”
Announces postponement of opening night to Thursday (09/11/73). “The postponement made necessary by the elaborateness of the stage setting. Tickets for Monday, good for Thursday, and so on; or the money will be refunded if the tickets are presented at the box office on Monday or Tuesday.” Brief announcement of the same content on page 4, as well.
“The Lyceum Theatre, once known as the Théâtre Français, but so remodeled by Mr. Fechter that recognition of the old edifice, without or within, would be impossible, was formally opened for the season last evening. The audience gathered was exceedingly large and critical, and there were no desertions between the outset and the close of the rehearsal of ‘Notre Dame.’” There follow a description of the auditorium and reviews of the play and performance without mention of music.
Begins with detailed description of venue. No mention of music.
“…The music both here [in the ballet scene] and in the Cathedral scenes is especially to be commended. Theatrical choruses are, as a rule, a dreadful conglomeration of bad voices singing out of tune, but here is one that sings with spirit, taste, and correctness.”
Long review. “…Threading the dance to the mingled music of the balatoes, the tambourines, the goats’ horns and Gothic rebecs, she [Lewis] was the picturesque embodiment, so far as physique and motion were concerned, of a delicate and poetic ideal.” No further mention of music.
Enormous article on changes made to the theater.
“Mme. Nilsson visited the Lyceum Theatre last evening, and was the recipient of an almost perfect ovation, being called to the front of the proscenium box which she occupied and presented with many beautiful floral offerings. Monsieur Salvini was also present, and occupied the box directly opposite Mme. Nilsson, and was enthusiastically applauded as soon as discovered by the audience, which was one of the most fashionable which has assembled this season.”