Maretzek Italian Opera: Un ballo en maschera – Opening Night of the Preliminary Season

“Mr. Maretzek’s company begins tomorrow with Verdi’s ‘Un ballo in maschera,’ with an outstanding cast.  Although this season of Italian opera will be short, it promises to be brilliant.”

“The first of four [sic] opera performances which Mr. Maretzek’s company plans to give here will take place tonight at the Academy of Music. Verdi’s ‘Un ballo in maschera,’ which has not been given here in almost a year, will be performed only this once this season. The principal singers are Mmes. Medori, Ortolani-Brignoli and Sulzer, with Messrs. Mazzoleni, Bellini and Colletti [sic].” 

“Academy of Music.--The superior brightness, vivacity and charm of Italian opera attracted an appropriately brilliant gathering last evening, and inaugurated Mr. Maretzek’s interlineary season with great éclat. Verdi’s ‘Ballo in Maschera’ was played with rare spirit. We have rarely heard it given to greater advantage. Signor Mazzoleni was in fine voice, and sung with that judicious balance of power and intelligent moderation which characterizes this fine artist’s best efforts. The applause after the barcarolle in the second act rendered it absolutely necessary to repeat the piece. Mme. Medori was in admirable voice. The dramatic opportunities of the role were seized, we need scarcely add, with the best of effect. Signor Bellini, who sometimes disappoints his best admirers, satisfied every one on this occasion. Briefly, the performance was a great success. The singers, without an exception, were in first-rate trim. Signor Nuno presided in the orchestra with marked ability.”

“The opening night of the Maretzek preliminary season was a fair success, both aristically and pecuniarily. The house was well filled, and presented a brilliant appearance, while the opera—Verdi’s ‘Ballo in Maschera’—was given with the usual [illeg.] by Maretzek’s excellent troupe, Mazzoleni, taking all the honors of the evening in the barcarole of the first act. The masquerade scene was, however, put on the stage ina  rather mediocre manner, and went off tamely.”

Very brief review.  Ballo was performed in a superior manner.

Marked December 22.

“As Anschutz setps out, Maretzek pops in and our Holiday week will be doubly gay and brilliant, from the presence of the Maretzek troupe at the Academy. Medori, Kellog [sic], Mazzoleni, Bellini and Biachi, will very happily replace Johannsen, Frederici, Himmer, Habelmann, Steinecke, Graff and Weinlich.

The dress circle and boxes, so cold, somber and dreary the last month or more, will now shine out resplendent with diamonds and beauty, and (vide Herald) Shoddy; Maretzek, Joell and Gosche will be happy as mortals can be, and the short holiday season of four nights will put money into the poeket [sic] of the management, and charity into the hearts of the patrons. New York, with all its sins of extravagance and excess, never was more liberal than at the present time in its contributions to objects of mercy and charity. The Academy on the occasion of a patriotic entertainment for the benefit of the Solider’s Home, on Tuesday evening last, was crowded to excess at an admittance fee of one dollar, and an innumerable number of similar entertainments have received the same generous patronage of the public. So we herald the advent of Italian opera in Christmas week with joy, for many hearts will be gladdened, many trials softened. Maretzek opens to-morrow evening with Verdi’s ‘Un Ballo in Maschera.’ with [sic] Medori, Brignoli, Sulzer, Mazzoleni, Bellini and Colletti. ‘Ione,’ ‘Norma,’ and ‘Faust’ will be given on the successive opera nights, and ‘Don Giovanni’ at a matinée, and then you will be afforded an opportunity of listening to them yourself, nearer home. In February they will return to us for a long and, I trust, successful season.”