New-Yorker Stadt-Theater Opera; Sacred Concert

“When the curtain raised upon the first act of ‘Barbe Bleue’ at the Stadt Theatre last evening there was not a vacant seat in the house. The fame of Miss Lina Meyer appears to have preceded her, and the vast auditorium last night seemed scarcely adequate to accommodate those who came to see her act and to hear her sing.

Possessed, as the German prima donna is, of a superb figure and a sweet, flexible voice, she was the recipient of numerous encores, and was called before the curtain at the close of every act. The character of Boulotte calls for action of a most sparkling and rollicksome kind, and Miss Myer [sic] succeeded admirably in fulfilling all the conditions of her difficult and trying rôle. We doubt whether either of the two French prime donne, with whom we are most familiar in the character of the giddy shepherdess, presented greater claims for superiority, or at least we are confident that neither of them gave us an impersonation with which there was identified greater ease and grace, or a more pleasing dash and abandon.

Her voice, while possessing no extraordinary strength and volume, is clear, smooth and sweet, and through the different acts evinces careful and rigid schooling. The acting of Miss Meyer is admirable. The part calls for the wildest abandon, and while the lady [illegible] these conditions, she never overleaps the limits of modesty.

Herr Schütz, in the character of Blue Beard, did very creditably, and found many of his old admirers present last night at the Stadt Theatre to tender to him the congratulations which his efforts deserved. The King Bobeche of Herr Witt was extremely ludicrous, and Herr Schönnoeff, as Popolani has seldom in opéra bouffe been surpassed. The mounting of the play was very good, and save a little defect in the chorus—which, no doubt, further training will remove—the presentation of opéra bouffe at the Stadt may be considered as one of the successes of the present season.”