Kellogg English Opera: The Bohemian Girl

“Messrs. Maas and Carlton, the tenor and barytone, par excellence of the Kellogg English opera troupe, were in good lyric condition last night, and, for the first time in this city, essayed the rôles of Thaddeus and Count Arnheim in Balfe’s most popular opera, ‘The Bohemian Girl.’ It is unnecessary to allude to the previous impersonations of the rôles of Arline and the Gypsy Queen by Miss Kellogg and Mrs. Seguin, further than to say that last evening they were as attractive as ever and encores seemed to be the rule, not the exception. Mr. Maas, with his light, flexible, well trained tenor voice, gave significance to the songs, ‘When other Lips,’ and ‘The Fair Land of Poland,’ especially the latter, which strains the voice to a degree that calls forth vocal and histrionic qualities of no mean standard. As a tenor in English opera we can recall in late years only the name of Mr. Karl as an equal to Mr. Maas. Mr. Carlton is an admirable barytone; not perhaps gifted with the sonority of tone of Campbell, but equally versed in the talent of giving effect to the grand aria of Balfe’s popular opera, ‘The Heart Bowed Down.’ The performance was far superior to the first production of the opera on Saturday last, and Mr. Howson held the chorus and orchestra in hand as a satisfactory addendum to the efforts of the leading artists. The house was literally crowded from parquet to dome. It rivalled the crush of the Wachtel nights. When ‘standing room only’ is hung out on the outer walls of the New York Academy of Music night after night the financial success of the season is indisputable. Seldom has English opera attained such a success in this city.”