Strakosch Italian Opera: Faust

Advertises this performance as a matinee beginning at 1:30pm. Unclear if this was in error or if the time changed.

“Powerful Chorus of 60. Grand Orchestra of 50.”

“‘Faust’ was repeated at the Academy last evening, with Nilsson and Capoul in the principal characters, and as often as it has been given here, it was never given, perhaps, with more brilliancy and effect. Nilsson was in capital voice, and sang and acted with all that delicious grace and feeling which marks her rank among modern vocalists. The purity and tenderness of her voice, her thorough culture, her exquisite conception of character, her magnetism and dramatic power, and withal her perfect simplicity and naturalness, have given her hold upon the admiration and affection of the public that every night fills the house to overflowing. Last night was no exception; every seat was taken and every passage occupied; and the vehement plaudits and showers of bouquets testified to the warm appreciation of the audience. Nilsson was called before the curtain at the close of every act, and Capoul, who acted with his usual fervor, though his singing, we think, was not so good as usual, shared in her triumphs. Signor Nannetti, as Mephistopheles, confirmed the impression he produced on the first performance. We must also repeat our commendation of the company as a whole: it is the best we have ever had; and the execution throughout does honor to Mr. Strakosch’s enterprise and skill.”

“‘Faust’ was repeated at the Academy of Music last evening, by Mme. Nilsson and the other artists engaged by Mr. Strakosch, whose performances in Gounod’s opera last week were noticed at considerable length. Last night’s representation suggested no fresh comment; it bore, however, additional proof to the fulfillment by the management of the promise—so often made and so rarely kept—that a capital ensemble would be secured during the present season; it must also be mentioned that the entertainment was enjoyed by a very large and well-disposed audience.”

“During one of the recalls in Friday night’s performance of ‘Faust’ at the Academy of Music a bouquet was flung from one of the upper proscenium boxes to Mme. Nilsson. It came whirling through the air like a bombshell, and caused the diva to start with a look of alarm. M. Victor Capoul, who had led out the cantatrice, caught the flowers ‘on the fly’ with his left hand. The round of applause which greeted this feat suggested to a cynic that a good fielder had been lost to the world of base ball when M. Capoul became a singer.”