Maretzek Italian Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor

“In consequence of the illness of Miss Kellogg, who has a severe cold, she is unable to appear to-night. Miss Liza Harris, who made so successful a debut a few evenings ago, has volunteered to sing in her place; and the opera will be ‘Lucia di Lammermoor,’ with a brilliant cast."

Announces Faust.

“Tonight, Gounod’s ‘Faust’ will be presented for the fourteenth time. It is likely that Miss Harris, who debuted with such success in ‘Lucia,’ will appear again before the end of the season.”

“Owing to the severe indisposition of Miss Kellogg there was a change of programme at the Academy of Music last evening. Those who came to enjoy Gounod’s most charming opera, Faust, were offered instead the ever popular and attractive Lucia, with Miss Harris as the heroine, Signor Mazzoleni as Edgardo, and Bellini as Ashton, one of his most successful roles. The young debutante certainly confirmed the favorable impression she created on her first appearance. She was of course more self-possessed, and acted with more spirit. Her voice is of a most agreeable quality, the upper register being more than usually clear and forcible. In the concerted music Miss Harris was heard to advantage, and we deem this a great feat, when it is taken into consideration that the debutante was singing with such artists as Mazzoleni and Bellini, both of them being blessed with good lungs and unsparing in the use of their fine, powerful voices. We certainly consider the debut of Miss Harris a well merited success.

Mazzoleni was immensely successful as Edgardo. He sang and acted with all his usual grace and entrain, and certainly merited the warm applause bestowed upon his efforts. The same may be said of Bellini.”

Very brief review.  “At the Opera House last night, Miss Harris gave another charming representation of ‘Lucia,’ singing with more confidence than on the occasion of her debut, and with equal grace of execution.”

“To the habitués of the opera there was last night a disappointment and a surprise. Miss Kellogg was indisposed and unable to sing; hence ‘Faust,’ which had been announced, was impossible, and the management had to go through the prosy and painful operation of transferring many tickets to the next performance of Gounod’s work, or of refunding the money paid for the same. This was the disappointment. The surprise was occasioned by Miss Harris, who at a moment’s notice repeated her performance of ‘Lucia,’ and before a cold and disappointed audience won the best honors and the most enthusiastic applause that she has yet borne off. The lady was in excellent voice, and being less embarrassed by fright than on the interesting occasion of her début, was able to do full justice to herself. Her performance was really admirable and merited all the applause that it elicited. The artists were all in good condition and added to the general effect of a fine representation.”

“Owing to the illness of Miss Kellogg, yesterday’s announced performance of ‘Faust’ was not able to take place, and ‘Lucia di Lammermoor,’ with Miss Harris in the title role, was repeated instead. Miss Harris was significantly better than on the occasion of her debut. Though the performance was not well attended, she received enthusiastic applause after almost all of the bigger numbers. Encouraged by her success as ‘Lucia,’ she already started studying her next part, in which she will appear in this season, or in the spring. Mazzoleni shared Miss Harris’ applause last night. His ‘Edgardo’ was flawless in singing and acting, yet he was not able to live up to Stigelli’s aria in the finale. Stigelli used to sing this part several years ago.”

    “. . . . A sudden indisposition prevented Miss Kellogg from performing in Faust. Miss Liza Harris, last week’s graceful debutante, consented to sing Lucia, in order to not disappoint the audience which had courageously braved the frightful weather to come to the opera.”

“There was a hitch at the opera last week, and the lady who made such a promising debut the week previous was called in to do duty. The opera of ‘Faust’ was on the programme for the 1st of March, but owing to illness, or the storm, Miss Kellogg did not put in an appearance, so ‘Lucia’ was substituted, with Miss Harris in the leading character, in which she showed to better advantange than on her first appearance.”