Strakosch Italian Opera: Faust

“Positively last night.” 

“’Faust’ was performed last night at the Academy, it being the last entire opera in which Mme. Nilsson may be heard. The occasion was marked by the presentation of numerous costly tokens of regard during and at the close of the third act. Flowers are common enough offerings to all prima donnas; but the flowers of last evening were in unusual abundance and shaped into most beautiful forms. One of the bouquets was in the form of a cone, surmounted by a white dove with out-spread wings, and was placed in a large and massive silver vase, of elaborate workmanship and beautiful ornamentation. At the close of the jewel song, Signor Muzio handed to Mme. Nilsson a bouquet of white roses, from which depended what appeared to be a purple velvet box. This she opened and disclosed to the curious eyes of the audience a richly jeweled bracelet which she, with many expressions of delight, placed upon her arm. It will be remembered that at this point in the opera Martha enters and exclaims: ‘How beautiful you look! Who has given you those jewels?’ To which Marguerite replies: ‘Alas! they have been brought here by some mistake.’ To which Martha answers, ‘No, lovely maiden, they are yours.’ All this was done with a mischievous merriment on Mme. Nilsson’s part, which added much life to the scene and amused the audience exceedingly.”

Christine Nilsson’s farewell performance.

“Last night there were abundant manifestations of enthusiasm and effusive good humor. ‘Faust’ has been much better sung at other times, but nobody was disposed to be critical on this farewell occasion, and a good deal of the attention of the audience was bestowed upon the gifts presented to Madame Nilsson. A bracelet, an elegant silver vase of great size, and marvelous structure of flowers were among the tokens of regard handed to her during the performance. M. Capoul, Mlle. Frida de Gebele, Sig. Nannetti, and Sig. del Puente were the other principal artists in the cast.”

“The representation of ‘Faust’ at the Academy of Music, last evening, was attended by a numerous and brilliant audience. The recital, in which Mme. Nilsson, Miss De Gebele, M. Capoul, and Signori Nannetti and Del Puente took part, was as symmetrical as its predecessors, but it presented no novel feature. It most noteworthy incidents grew out of the offering of quantities of flowers to Miss Nilsson, whose good-bye the entertainment was apparently considered; and out of a gift to the artsist of a fine silver base, a costly bracelet, and a superb diamond ring, by sundry friends and admirers. There was naturally enough much applause when the floral tributes and jewelry were placed before the prima donna, and an unusual tendency to wax enthusiastic was manifested throughout the night, and found expression in numerous recalls.” 

“The performance of ‘Faust’ at the Academy of Music last night was the occasion of a special tribute to Madame Nilsson. It was generally known that this was to be her last appearance at the Academy of Music this season, and her friends seized the opportunity to express their admiration of the lady and artist. The floral gifts were unusually elegant; and besides these, there was a silver vase and a rich bracelet proffered by those who could not find the language of flowers strong enough to express their appreciation.

‘Faust’ was the opera. Of Madame Nilsson’s Marguerite we have often had occasion to speak, and last night the personation was fully equal to its reputation. Capoul sang with great taste and expression, Faust being, perhaps, his best part. Nannetti and Del Puente sang well, and De Gebele’s pleasant face and agreeable voice were gladly welcomed back to the operatic stage.”

“Gounod’s opera was presented last night at the Academy of Music, with the following cast [see above]. The Marguerite of Nilsson will always be remembered as the most finished and sympathetic impersonation of the rôle ever presented on the New York boards, and a fit companion picture to it is the artistic representation of the title rôle by Capoul. Both may be justly considered as the best Marguerite and Faust on the operatic boards at present. The Siebel of the evening, Mlle. De Gebele, acted and sang like a trained artist, and Del Puente made the dying scene of Valentine a feature in the opera.”