Strakosch Italian Opera: Aida

“Last evening ‘Aida’ was repeated at the Academy of Music with the excellent cast with which it was given last week. Signora Potentini’s Aida is a charming performance, and Miss Cary as Amneris sings and acts as nobly as ever.”

“Verdi’s masterpiece—for it has generally become acknowledged among musicians that the work written by the modern potentate of the Italian stage for the Khedive of Egypt takes a far higher standard of art than any of his previous efforts, ‘Don Carlos’ perhaps excepted—was presented again at the Academy of Music. ‘Aida’ will have to wait its time for popularity with the average opera-goer, but to the musician it is interesting from beginning to end. Never before has Verdi displayed such wonderful power of instrumental coloring, and his massed effects are grand and overpowering. After a long and careful experience with this opera we are decidedly of the opinion that it will outlive any of Verdi’s previous efforts. The cast last night, comprised [lists cast]. Of these Miss Cary made the most pronounced success. This charming artiste has made such rapid improvement since her first appearance at the Nilsson concerts that she may now be considered as without a rival on the stage as prima donna contralto.”