Maretzek Italian Opera: Faust
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)
13 Apr 1864, EveningPerformers and/or Works Performed
1)
Composer(s): Gounod
Participants: Maretzek Italian Opera Company; Military band, unidentified; Fanny Stockton (role: Martha); Clara Louise Kellogg (role: Margherita); Fernando [bass-baritone] Bellini (role: Valentin); Henrietta Sulzer (role: Seibel); Francesco Mazzoleni (role: Faust); Joseph Hermanns (role: Mephistopheles); Wilhelm [baritone] Müller (role: Wagner)
Citations
2)
“On Wednesday, ‘Faust’ will be repeated. The manager intends, after a few more performances, to close the Academy, in order that the regular forces may devote themselves exclusively to the proper rehearsal of Meyerbeer’s ‘Huguenots,’ which will be produced as the concluding attraction of the Spring Season. Visitors, therefore, would do well to remember that their chances of hearing Mr. Maretzek’s company are but few.”
3)
“Faust will be repeated on Wednesday for the twenty-ninth time.”
8)
“‘Mephisto’ is presented in a way never seen before. Only Hermanns is able to give this role the recognition it deserves. In his acting, Mr. Hermanns follows the model of Laroche and Gogge, who presented the devil as an elegant gentleman. This interpretation seems to be the correct one for the Gounod version, since in the text the devil is described as wearing a sword, a hat with a feather, and a pouch full````` of gold, just like a nobleman. Hermanns possesses all the advantages of a splendid and exceptional performer, including posture, movement, facial expression and the sound of his voice. All of these traits are beautifully balanced and harmonize well with his musical skill.”
9)
“The attendance at the Opera House last night was very large, in spite of the storm, and Fourteenth street was blocked with carriages as far as Broadway. The opera was admirably performed, and the usual encores demanded. . . . After the Tuesday evening performance at Brooklyn next week, the house will be probably closed for a week or two, to re-open for the spring season early in May, with the ‘Huguenots’.”