Maretzek Italian Opera: Ione

Due to bad weather, the opera was not well attended.  A very well done performance.  No singer became hoarse.

"Saturday's performance was thwarted by the bad weather as far as receipts went; but it was magnificent on the stage. Ione was sung as it was in its best days, with an excellence of ensemble in which each peformer played a part.

The management has announced that this is the last performance of Petrella's opera for the season. The public will come to regret this decision, above all after the atmospheric contre-temps that prevented a large number of people from attending. Ione is in the full flush of popularity; it's one of those works that one sees again on the poster with pleasure, and Maretzek  would disappoint many people if he doesn't make it reappear at least once more. The requests that he will receive in this regard will no doubt make him revisit this decision."

“On Saturday evening notwithstanding the heavy rain, a full house was attracted by the performance of ‘Ione.’ This fine classical opera, we are glad to learn, is not to be withdrawn, but will shortly, in compliance with the wishes of a large proportion of the habitués of the opera, be reproduced, with the same powerful cast.”

“We wish to say a few words apropos of the favorite opera ‘Ione,’ which was given on Saturday evening for the ‘last time.’ We must have no last time of this chef d’œuvre. It is too popular here to be shelved. ‘Ione’ and ‘Norma’ never fail to draw large houses, and we think that in its own interest the management can do no better than to often provide either of the above operas for the amusement of the habitues of our Academy of Music.

It must be allowed that the artists of the Maretzek troupe are great in the operas above named…Signor Mazzoleni may be said to represent the role of Glauco in ‘Ione’ as none but so admirable an actor as well as singer could. He is certainly most graceful and effective in his acting, ably depicting the passions to be represented, but never surpassing nature. But few artists possess this qualification in so eminent as a degree as Mazzoleni, who, it must be allowed, sings the music role as admirably as he acts it. We shall expect a repetition of ‘Ione’ very soon, as we believe that Maretzek will understand that it is to his interest to reproduce this opera.”

Part of review of multiple events.

            “New York, Oct. 26.—The week closed with ‘Ione,’ Theo. Thomas’s matinée, and the Philharmonic rehearsal, with the usual Philharmonic storm. Notwithstanding the unpropitious state of the weather, the attendance at each of these performances was very good…

            The performance of ‘Ione,’ Petrella’s great work, on Saturday evening, was one of the most successful of the season, and is placed by the side of that ‘Norma,’ which has met with such a great success by the fine rendition of Maretzek’s troupe. ‘Ione’ was announced for the second and ‘last time’ on Saturday evening; but it is to be hoped that the management will see fit to announce it on their bills for future performance. It is a work of power, and there is a wonderful unanimity in regard to its merit. Medori, Sulzer, Mazzoleni, Bellini and Biachi could not select more effective roles, nor do them more justice.”