Maretzek Italian Opera: Combination Matinee

“last grand matinee of the season.”

“Notice. The gorgeous and costly decorations used for the grand ball given in honor to our Russian guests will remain during the performance on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.”

A great choice of program for the company’s farewell.  The sets for the “grand bal russe” are the same as those seen on Thursday.

"The matinee on Saturday was a great success. The Academy of Music was filled by an immense crowd of ladies, who made a grand display of toilettes de ville. The opera of ‘Lucia’ and the second act of ‘Martha’ were the attractions of the matinee and most admirably were they sung. In Lucia Mme. Ortolani Brignoli was very successful. She sang unusually well and was much applauded. Signor Mazzoleni was in excellent voice, and acted with his usual grace and dramatic effect. Bellini was also in fine voice. We have never heard this artist to greater advantage than on this occasion. Throughout the opera was admirably sung and acted. The mise en scene was perfect; the choruses and orchestra gave evidences of the greatest care on the part of the management; their ensemble was all that could be desired.

The repetition of Flotow’s ‘Martha’ gives us an opportunity of noticing the great improvement which has taken place in a favorite American prima donna. We refer to Miss Kellogg, whose artistic ability is clearly established by the role of Lady Henrietta in ‘Martha.’ The responsibility of the opera, of course, rests upon the artiste who sings this part, which, if inadequately rendered, must entail the non-success of the representation. Miss Kellogg executes the music with delicacy and skill, and meets with genuine applause from our somewhat cold audiences. It is of course a matter of pleasure to our public that this artiste, who has never had the advantages of a foreign musical tuition, should so satisfactorily assume the position of prima donna, which up to a few years past was deemed a matter out of the question save where the fiat of a Paris and London audience had administered a diploma. Miss Kellogg is attracting notice by her careful attention to every department of her art and her evident desire to legitimately rank high in public estimation. Her success in ‘Martha’ is a fact we take pleasure in recording.

Mlle. Sulzer in this opera is also very successful. She sings and acts her role most satisfactorily, as is evinced by the applause she receives.

Lotti, who is nightly gaining in public favor, is ever most successful in ‘Martha.’ He sings with much expression and feeling, and is constantly and loudly applauded.

Biachi is a very satisfactory Plunkett. He dresses the character too well, however. He certainly does not look like a rough countryman. With his velvet jacket and bright leggings, long black hair and fierce mustache, he has all the appearance of an Italian bandit instead of a bumpkin. He sings and acts his role, however, extremely well, and receives much applause. The drinking song, which he gives with so much animation, is always encored.

Tonight we are to have ‘Norma’ at the Academy of Music, with Madame Medori, Sulzer, Tamaro and Biachi.”

“The vicinity of Irving Hall was literally choked with sweet sounds on Saturday. For twelve hours there was hardly a breath of relief in the musical plethora. It opened in the morning with the third rehearsal of the Philharmonic Society. This had scarcely terminated when Mr. Theodore Thomas’ third popular matinée commenced. Simultaneously, Mr. Maretzek opened the doors of the Academy for his last combination matinée. An hour or two’s rest was all that the musicians could enjoy ere they were called upon to take part in the first Philharmonic Concert, at the Academy, and the first Promenade Concert of the Seventh Regiment, at Irving Hall. We shall not be able to dwell at length on any of these entertainments, nor is it necessary; they were all excellent. A delightfully varied programme was furnished by Mr. Thomas, and was given with great effect by the orchestra. The soloists were Mr. Gottschalk and Miss Fanny Riddell, a young lady who possesses a fine voice, and knows how to use it skillfully. Mr. Gottschalk was assisted by Mr. Harry Sanderson, and with that gentleman, played several of the most popular duets. At the Academy of Music a splendid attendance was assembled. The whole of ‘Lucia,’ with Ortolani Brignoli as the heroine, was given, and an act from ‘Martha.’ In the latter, Miss Kellogg appeared. Her impersonation of Lady Henriette, is one of the most charming realizations of the modern Italian repertoire. At the Philharmonic Concert the instrumental features were Schumann’s Symphony No. 2; the Overture to ‘Coriolanus,’ by Beethoven, and to the ‘Flying Dutchman,’ by Richard Wagner. They were excellently played by the orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Carl Bergmann. Mr. S.B. Mills, was the solo pianist, and acquitted himself with the masterly precision and healthful largeness of style for which he is remarkable. The Society was also lucky enough to have the services of Miss Kellogg, who, we need scarcely add, was thoroughly enjoyable.”

Included in a list of works performed at the Academy of Music. “The past fortnight has been of unusual musical buoyancy. Irving Place, the great centre of musical attraction, has resounded from morning to night with sweet sounds, only interrupted by the carpenter's hammer preparing for the great ball. On Saturday the street was alive with people at every hour, so numerous were the objects for patronage.  At 10½ , the Philharmonic rehearsal; 12, Thomas's matinee; 1½, Opera Matinee; 8, Philharmonic and 71st  Regiment Band Concert.  The amount of wind and muscle required on that day, must have been immense. . . .

. . . The audience [for the Maretzek Opera Company] has been very large and fashionable, and the performances of the troupe very praiseworthy and satisfactory.”