Kellogg English Opera: The Bohemian Girl

“…The audience was very large and enthusiastic. Encores were frequent and floral tributes abundant, indicating that whatever may be the merits or defects of English opera, it certainly has a vigorous hold on the popular favor.”

“The brief season of English opera was commenced last evening in the Academy of Music. The opera was ‘The Bohemian Girl.’ Miss Kellogg appeared as Arline, and an audience which filled the ample space of the Academy welcomed her back to new triumphs. The first act of ‘The Bohemian Girl’ being very much of the nature of a prologue to a play, the real interest of the work is deferred until later in the opera. Miss Kellogg comes forth as the gypsy girl early in the second act, and as everybody acquainted with this most familiar of compositions knows, sings almost immediately that exceedingly pretty melody, ‘I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls.’ The first note told that the singer’s voice had all the charm which delighted audiences heretofore, and at the close of the air the customary tributes of flowers were piled upon the stage, and the plaudits of the audience compelled an encore. In response thereto Miss Kellogg only sang the second verse. The quartet, ‘From the valleys and hills,’ between Arline, the Gypsy Queen, Thaddeus, and Devilshoof, was also redemanded. The rôle of Count Arnheim was filled, as during former engagements, by Mr. Carleton, whose voice appears to gain in force and volume, while it retains the sweetness which first won favor for its possessor, and Mr. Mass personated Thadddeus. Both these artists contributed very largely to the satisfactory rehearsal of the opera. The encore which is always exacted by ‘The heart bowed down,’ when it is rendered by a competent singer, was prompt and emphatic, and Mr. Carleton had to acknowledge it by repeating the second verse. Mr. Maas was similarly complimented after he had sung ‘When other lips and hearts,’ and he had also to repeat ‘The Fair Land of Poland,’ in which his upper notes had a clearness and force which one would be inclined to credit to a tenor of a more robust order. Miss Kellogg’s voice was heard with pleasure in many other portions, both solo and concerted, and notably in the somewhat florid finale. Devilshoof had an amusing and very active representative in Mr. Harry Peakes, and the other rôles were suitably distributed. The chorus was well trained and effective, and the orchestra, which is sometimes unnecessarily loud, was rightly attuned to the voices of the singers.”

“Miss Kellogg and her very excellent company appeared last evening at the Academy in Balfe’s ‘Bohemian Girl’ before a numerous audience. The representation was smooth and finished, Miss Kellogg, Mr. Carleton, and Mr. Peakes lending vivacity and interest to the opera by artistic singing and appropriate acting.”

“The first of five representations by the Kellogg English Opera Company was given last night at the Academy of Music. Balfe’s popular opera ‘The Bohemian Girl’ was chosen, probably from the fact that its favorite melodies have still the power to attract large if not critical audiences. Miss Kellogg appeared as Arline, and as usual, found in the ‘Gypsy Girl’s Dream,’ and in the song ‘Come with the Gypsy bride’ ample opportunities for the display of her beautiful voice and finished execution. Her shakes are not only rapid and perfectly intoned, but are also of a good quality of tone, which is varied with the happiest results. Mr. Maas won considerable applause by his rendering of the well-worn melody “When other lips and other hearts.’ Mr. Carleton sang ‘The heart bowed down.’ The excellent acting of Mr. Peakes drew attention from the weakness of the opera itself, and the insignificance of the secondary parts. The choruses were well given. The chorus singers sang and delivered their parts with such ease and freedom that the vividness and dramatic force of the whole representation was increased. This was especially noticeable in the Gypsy chorus in the first act.”

“The Kellogg English Opera Company commenced the last week of their fall and winter season last night at the Academy of Music. The house was crowded, the opera being Balfe’s ‘Bohemian Girl,’ a perennial favorite. Miss Kellogg appeared as Arline and gave indisputable evidence that her recent indisposition has not robbed her voice of any of its charms. The same beautiful, well balanced tone, sympathetic expression and artistic finish in singing gave the title rôle all the attractiveness in the rendering that is calculated to perpetuate the popularity of Balfe’s chef d’oeuvre. The various melodies with which the rôle of Arline is embellished and which are now sung over the world, received at Miss Kellogg’s hands that completeness of rendering that might be expected from an artist who has enjoyed such an extensive experience on the lyric stage, united to remarkable natural talents.”

“The last week of the Fall and Winter season of the Kellogg English-opera Troupe at the Academy of Music presented us on Monday, March 29, with the well-known favorite of English opera-goers, Balfe’s ‘Bohemian Girl,’ which was listened to with every mark of approval by a crowded auditory. Miss Kellogg’s rendition of the role of Arline, so well known to our public, had lost none of its charm, and presented full evidence, by its expressive and artistic recital, that no trace remained of her recent severe indisposition.”