Maretzek Italian Opera: Don Giovanni

“Mozart’s sublime opera attracted a huge crowd, rarely seen at the opera. It is expected that tonight that will happen again.”

“Does the public thoroughly understand that after Saturday next, we are to have no more Italian opera until the Spring?  The final performances will be unusually interesting.  To-night we are to have ‘Don Giovanni’ for the second and last time.  This announcement will suffice to fill the house to its greatest capacity.  Whether it be love of Mozart or greed for a work in which three prima donnas appear that leads to this result, we shall not stop to inquire; the fact remains that ‘Don Giovanni’ always ‘draws.’”

ACADEMIE DE MUSIQUE.

    “The success that welcomed Don Giovanni on Friday didn’t belie itself yesterday evening. The evening’s honors were for MM. Biachi and Bellini, and Mmes Medori and Kellogg. The first is an excellent Leporello, although one could reproach him for coming on a bit too strongly; the second, who lacked a bit of gracefulness at the first performance, made up for it yesterday. He, with Mlle Kellogg, sang the delightful duet La ci darem la mano perfectly, as well as the serenade in the second act. Mlle Kellogg was created and put on this earth to play Zerlina and similar roles. Her voice entreats great dramatic effects in vain, but she excels in arias that require gracefulness and freshness. Mme Medori showed herself to be what she always is, a brilliant artist.”

Sold out event.  The performance was just as good as the previous one.  Several numbers were requested ‘da capo.’