Maretzek Italian Opera: Faust

“Faust is certainly attractive beyond any other opera Maretzek can offer to the public. Last evening hundreds of persons were turned away, grumbling at their ill luck in not even obtaining standing room. We were much amused at a party form Peekskill, who had come to the city to hear Faust, and who were obliged to give up a hope of that enjoyment. Their dismay at the idea that so immense a building as the Academy of Music could be filled to repletion, could be crowded beyond standing room, was ludicrous. We must acknowledge a sense of utter astonishment at the management as regards the production of this opera. It draws immense crowds, and yet we seldom have it sung. Truly the ways of operatic people are strange and unfathomable.  Faust would fill the house every night, yet it is withheld.

Miss Kellogg, Mazzoleni, Biachi and Bellini were, as usual, admirable in the opera. In fact, at each performance these artists seem to sing and act with increased success.  The choruses last evening were unsually well sung and were much applauded.”

“The success of ‘Faust.’ The opera-house on Saturday night having been so full that hundreds were unable to get admission, would seem to argue, the necessity of a purely ‘Faust’ season after the engagement with the present subscribers are over. ‘Faust’ three times a week, with two intervening performances of ‘Lucia,’ with Miss Harris, and some other favorite opera with Brignoli, would about hit the popular taste, and, at the same time, with the large company Mr. Maretzek has, would not prove onorous to individual singers.”

“‘Faust’ was given at the Academy on Saturday night, and attracted the usual overwhelming attendance. There was not standing room; even the upper-regions bulged out with a black mass of humanity. It is nothing but right, under the circumstances, that Mr. Maretzek should announce the work for repetition to-morrow night, and again at the matinée on Saturday. The demands of the public in the matter of amusements are law; and in this case, if Mr. Maretzek were not restrained by a tender regard for his subscribers, who may be supposed to have had a fair share of ‘Faust,’ and perhaps as much as they want, he could, with infinite advantage to himself, play the opera every night for the remainder of the season. As it is, he makes a voluntary sacrifice of five or six hundred dollars each night that he withdraws it.”