Maretzek Italian Opera: Jone

Mazzoleni and Bellini have recovered completely.

“This opera was the great success of last season, and will undoubtedly draw an immense audience.”

A sold-out house. Mazzoleni and Bellini have fully recovered and performed very well. All other performers also did well. The mise en scene was splendid.

“Petrella’s chef d’ouere [sic] ‘Ione,’ which created so great a furor last season, was produced last night with immense success. If on any previous occasion Maretzek has met with mishaps, last evening’s triumph was ample reward for all disappointments endured. From the commencement of the overture until the fall of the curtain on the last act the public were unusually enthusiastic in their applause. Where all the artists [illeg] well it were invidious to mention any particular one. We will merely say that all were in excellent voice and that their efforts were most heartily applauded by a well pleased public. In the first act the brindisi was encored, while the duo between Nydia and Burbo was also well received. Mme. Medori sang the L’amo with so much power and expression as to call forth a most persistent demand for an encore. At the end of the first act all the artists were called out.

In the second act the great scene of the delirium of Glauco was admirably rendered. The finale was sung with great ensemble power. At the end of this act the artists were once more called out. In fact, we may add that they were called out at the conclusion of each act. The public was pleased, and took pains to show this in a most unmistakable manner.

The third act was quite as successful as the preceding. The finale of this act is beyond doubt one of the most magnificent pieces of music of the kind ever composed.

The production of this opera has proved a great success for the management. The music, so original, is really most captivating. The opera abounds with gems. The instrumental music is admirable. In fact, as a whole, ‘Ione’ is certainly one of the greatest attractions that Maretzek can offer his patrons. We hope that ‘Ione’ will be repeated. With ‘Norma’ and this opera Maretzek can stand the most protracted stage.”

“At the Academy of Music Petrella’s ‘Ione,’ the favorite opera of last season, met, if possible, a more enthusiastic reception than during the furore six months ago. Contrary to recent experience, all the artists, not excepting Bellini, were in excellent voice, and the vocal and histrionic execution of the piece were unusually excellent and admirably sustained. The duet and delirium scene in the second act, and the exquisite passages at the close of the third act, were given with fine effect, and the quintet of leading artists was repeatedly called before the curtain with the most flattering applause. If the mise en scene was less perfect in some respects than usual, the defects were probably due to the indisposition of Mr. Maretzek, who is suffering from a severe attack of rheumatism. The orchestra was led by Signor J. Nuno, and was manipulated with admirable taste and skill. The opera will, we trust, be soon repeated with the same effective cast.”

“The fine attendance yesterday evening, when Petrella’s opera of ‘Ione’ was given, recalled the best triumphs of last season.  The house was fashionable and brilliant beyond the ordinary experience of the past week, and the quaint rhythms and vigorous instrumentation of the composer brought down, as of old, plenty of applause.  Signor Mazzoleni, whose loss of voice on Saturday last occasioned a panic in Fourteenth-street, was once more at his post.  No indications of the contretemps were noticeable.  The gentleman was in excellent voice, and went through the laborious tenor rôle without visible fatigue.  Signor Bellini, too, happened to be in fine voice, so that with the cooperation of the prima donna, Mme. Medori, the performance was rendered thoroughly delightful.  Mr. Maretzek had to surrender his place in the orchestra to Señor Nuno, in consequence of a severe attack of indisposition.  The auxiliary forces were well handled by this gentleman.”

"A triumphant performance, yesterday evening, restored the Opera season, which vocal mishaps accumulated through bad luck had threatened to strike with weakness, to the level of the greatest hits of last Spring. The artists surpassed themselves in the interpretation of Ione.

     All were admirably in voice and it would be difficult to hear a more excellent quintet than the one that Mme Medori, Mlle Sulzer, Mazzoleni, Bellini and Biachi favored [us] by performing. the ones who had been sick seem to have drawn a new richness from their momentary eclipse; the others were at the pitch of their best days.

    One would have to enumerate almost all of the pieces to distribute to each [singer] his/her part of the praises. It was in effect a storm of spirit and ardor. Nevertheless we must make special mention of Mme Medori's first aria, the duet in the scene of delirium that ends the second act; all of the second scene of the third act. Thus rendered, Maestro Petrella's opera can take its place among the repertory of established successes, for the public has given it the baptism of that enthusiasm which is the monopoly of favorite works.

    This incomparable evening  produces only one wish: to see it be repeated very soon."

"Only one performance [this past week]--that of Wednesday--shone  a substantial brightness on the dim ground that was sown with the disappointments of the past six days. That evening, Ione was sung with an admirable glow and harmony, in which all the artists had their part of the deserved success. Mme Medori, Mlle Sulzer, Mazzoleni, Bellini, Biachi, carried back the audience to brilliant memories of their arrival among us, which were threatening to weaken a bit."