New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera

“The performance last night at the Stadt Theater was almost as much like a concert as an operatic representation. The curtain rose upon the ‘Marriage of Figaro,’ and the first Act of that most charming of works was rattled off with considerable spirit, and upon the whole with better effect than sometimes results from the efforts of a much stronger company. Madame Lucca’s Cherubino was of course highly amusing, and if her supporters were not individually brilliant they produced, as German artists are apt to do, a satisfactory and consistent ensemble. But at the end of this first Act there came a hitch. Mme. Lichtmay was cast for the character of the Countess, and had refused to sing. Mr. Carlberg, who has succeeded Mr. Bergmann as conductor, made a statement of the case, and created considerable amusement by reading a certificate from Dr. Willard Parker, to the effect that he had visited the lady and found her able to sing. Some selections from ‘Don Giovanni’ were then given, Mme. Lucca appearing as Zerlina. She made a very deep impression in the ‘Batti, batti’and introduced into the scene the ‘Voi che sapete’from the ‘Marriage of Figaro.’ The audience was enormous and good-natured; the mishaps of the night were overlooked, and the prima donna was hailed with every demonstration of delight.”

“There seems to be something irresistible about the name of Lucca with the German public. Despite a contretemps last night, for which Mme. Lichtmay was responsible, and which necessitated a change of performance, the affection of the public for ‘Die kleine Pauline’ was abundantly shown. The performance consisted of the first act of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and two acts of ‘Don Juan.’ Mme. Lucca, as Cherubino in the former opera and as Zerlina in the latter, was enthusiastically received. The change from the announced bill was brought around, we understand, by the refusal of Mme. Lichtmay to sing. We cannot recall any musical occasion in which such a gross insult has been offered to the public. Messrs. Rullmann, Pflueger and Lehmann were compelled to labor industriously to bring the performance to a successful termination.”