Strakosch Italian Opera: Il Trovatore

Advertises Thomas’s Mignon.

Advertises Verdi’s Il Trovatore.

Provides cast list for Trovatore.

“Another very pleasant performance of ‘Trovatore’ took place at the Academy of Music last night, Nilsson, Cary, Campanini and Del Puente all singing with their usual ability and effect. The ‘Miserere’ scene won the usual encore.”

“‘Il Trovatore’ was given at the Academy of Music last evening. Verdi’s well-worn work attracted, as it always has done, a large audience, and the oft-sung tunes were listened to with quite as much delight, and, in some instances, redemanded with just as much earnestness as when the opera was at its freshest. Previous performances of ‘Il Trovatore’ have been dealt with at sufficient length to make comment upon yesterday’s recital, which was supplied, as were previous representations, by Mme. Nilsson, Miss Cary, and Signori Campanini and Del Puente, superfluous. Mme. Nilsson’s Leonora has been cited already as a highly dramatic and finished personation; Miss Cary’s Azucena is commended not only by the lady’s singing, but also by the animation and force of her acting; Signor Campanini interprets with infinite charm the music allotted to Manrico, and Signor Del Puente fulfills the duties of Il Conte di Luna very successfully. The artists last night had no lack of encouragement: after ‘Di quella pira,’ Signor Campanini was four times summoned before the foot-lights; the ‘Miserere’ scene was done twice; the tenor and Miss Cary were brought out after the melodious and touching duet in the last act; and after the dénouement, there was the regular post-mortem reappearance of everybody concerned.”

“‘Il Trovatore’ seems to possess unconquerable attractions for opera habitués, especially when presented with such a brilliant cast as that of last night. It is another proof of the perfect ensemble which Mr. Strakosch’s company can bring to the representation of any lyric work, the fact that this well worn opera of Verdi can draw such a brilliant audience as that which filled the Academy last evening. Mme. Nilsson invests the rôle of the heroine with that poetry, grace and artistic fire which is a distinguishing characteristic of all her impersonations, and the music reveals some of the best qualities of her crystal-like voice. Azucena makes large demands on dramatic power, to which Miss Cary readily responds, and Signor Del Puente may count Di Luna among his best rôles. Signor Campanini was in splendid voice last night, and made the title rôle the most prominent feature of the performance. His rendering of the impassioned aria, ‘Ah! ei ben mio,’ and the blatant ‘Di quella pèra’ brought down the house. Even the small rôle of Fernando was interpreted by a genuine artist, Signor Scolara. The chorus and orchestra have been moulded into symmetrical shape by the exertions of Signor Muzio.”