Maretzek Italian Opera: Don Giovanni
Event Information
Venue(s):
Academy of Music
Manager / Director:
Max Maretzek
Conductor(s):
Max Maretzek
Event Type:
Opera
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
29 August 2018
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
03 Feb 1864, EveningPerformers and/or Works Performed
Citations
“‘Don Giovanni’ is usually reserved by managers to close a season with éclat; but Maretzek’s present repertoire includes so many attractive works that there is no necessity for him to look to Mozart’s work as a last resort.”
“The cast is the same as last season, and is in all respects admirable. Our own admirable prima donna, Miss Kellogg, makes her rentrée as Zerlina.”
“The usual display of toilets made on these occasions proves that shoddy in New York is determined to vie with the Boston aristocracy; in fact, to outdo its best efforts in the show of diamonds and laces. Our Academy of Music has seldom presented a more attractive appearance than last evening. The beau monde were out in force.
Mozart’s great opera, Don Giovanni, was sung on this occasion and the performance was certainly most brilliant. Mme. Medori and Miss Kellogg were, as usual, most successful in this opera, and received the warmest applause. Miss Stockton was a very satisfactory Donna Elvira. Signors Bellini, Lotti and Biachi were also very successful in their roles, and were much applauded. The opera passed off with the usual eclat.”
“The opera was brilliantly attended last night, and the performance of ‘Don Giovanni,’ though not as good as we are accustomed to have, possessed many points of merit. Miss Kellogg was warmly received, and sang charmingly the Vedrai Carino, receiving a deserved encore—a compliment also awareded to the trio of maskers. Medori was passionate and grand as Donna Anna, but yet did not elicit the applause other artists have won in the part. Miss Stockton, as Elvira, shows that she has made a creditable advance in her profession since she was last here, and, barring a little crudeness, was quite satisfactory. The same cannot be said of the Ottavio of the evening. Biachi was a rather amusing Leporello and sang admirably, while Bellini looked the Don to perfection, but does not otherwise make his mark in the character.”
“Academy of Music.—‘Don Giovanni’ was given last night with much spirit and effect, Miss Kellogg being especially delightful in Zerlina. It is one of the lady’s very best rôles. Signor Bianchi was an excellent Leporello, and received the honor of an encore in the first act. Mme. Medori, in the dramatic intensities of Donna Anna, was as usual, very effective, and Signor Bellini made a good-looking Don Giovanni. The performance was received with marked approbation by a brilliant audience.”
Brief. “The time-honored opera of Don Giovanni was played to an excellent house last night with the customary applause at the special points. The cast included Madame Medori, Miss Kellogg, Miss Stockton, Signor Lotti, Signor Bellini and Signor Biachi. The pieces most noticed by the brilliant audience were the Mask Trio, the Catalogue Solo, Batti, etc. There was a fine display of talents, and youth and good looks abounded.”