Maretzek Italian Opera: Mignon; Max Maretzek Benefit

“A performance of ‘Mignon’ was given at the Academy of Music, last evening, by Mr. Maretzek’s artists for the benefit of the impresario. The Academy has never been more densely crowded than on the occasion we write of, and the representation passed off smoothly, and to general satisfaction. Of its details, after the frequent allusions to Mme. Lucca’s personation of Mignon, to Miss Kellogg’s Filina, to Signor Vizzani’s Guglielmo, and to M. Jamet’s Lotario, we need not say much. Mme. Lucca was in admirable voice, last night, and she sang and acted with, if anything, more than her usual heartiness. Miss Kellogg was less at her ease; she was quite indolent until the scene during which the polonaise is sung, and in that well-known and decidedly ad captandum number, she betrayed some uncertainty in the closing passages, and forced her voice on the C at the end. The hopes we entertained in relation to Signor Vizzani have been realized, we are glad to say, and their fulfillment was proven by yesterday’s work; the tenor’s tones have gathered increased power; his delivery has greater fluency, and his very bearing has been bettered. M. Jamet’s dignified and pathetic portraiture of Lotario was as finished and as impressive as ever. The special incidents of the affair, we have only to add, were few. The applause was liberal, there were many tributes of flowers, and encores followed Mme. Lucca’s styrienne, Miss Kellogg’s polonaise, and Signor Vizzani’s romance in the third act. And, after the curtain had fallen on the final tableau, all the artists were recalled. ‘The end’ may now be fairly written of the season of opera commenced in September last.”

“The last performance of Italian opera this season took place at the Academy of Music last night, before a very crowded audience. Had the weather been cooler the enthusiasm would have been warmer; but even as it was, the applause was frequent and genuine.

The opera was ‘Mignon,’ which, though by no means so rich in melody as many of the Italian lyric dramas of the day, has become a recognized favorite with New York opera-goers. The cast was that of last winter, including Lucca, Kellogg, Vizzani and Jamet in the principal parts, and the performers were all in good voice. Lucca won an encore for the toilet scene, and Kellogg for the brilliant aria, ‘Son Titania bionda,’ the cadenza being a most remarkable instance of elaborate vocal execution. Vizzani was vigorously applauded for his aria in the last act, and Jamet was as careful and satisfactory as usual. Max Maretzek conducted.”

“Maretzek’s Italian Opera Company sang their adieux to the American public last night. The Academy of Music was crowded, every seat being sold, and many were compelled to content themselves with standing room only. There is little to add to our previous remarks on the opera ‘Mignon,’ except that Lucca was in glorious voice and spirits, and portrayed the heroine of Goethe to the life, and Miss Kellogg gave the rôle of Felina with more than usual fire. Her singing of the ‘Polonaise’ was of such a brilliant character that she was compelled to repeat it. The same was the case with Lucca’s ‘Styrienne.’ The season which closed last night was successful in a pecuniary as well as artistic point of view. Mme. Lucca appeared 104 times in opera and Miss Kellogg about eighty times. The gross receipts of the season, commencing September 30 and ending last night, amount to $450,000. About six thousand dollars represented the house last evening.” [Continues with details of Maretzek’s forthcoming fall season, beginning in October]