Article on Maretzek Company
Event Information
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Record Information
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Published
Last Updated:
23 July 2011
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
29 Sep 1864Program Details
Performers and/or Works Performed
Citations
1)
“[Maretzek] wishes to submit a few observations. The fact is well known that, within the last years, the very foremost lyric artists from Europe have visited this country. It is not to be wondered at, that the task of finding . . . fresh voices . . . is no longer an easy one. Moreover, it is evident . . . that musical genius or talent is less abundant at present than in past times. . . . [Italian opera’s popularity] has been largely enlarged in consequence of a decree of the French government abolishing the privileges of the Theaters throughout France which has singularly enough resulted in the formation of several Italian operas in Paris and caused the managers in provincial towns to indulge their patrons in . . . the appetite for this most fashionable amusement. Thus all these circumstances have combined to enhance the value of superior artists, and the prices demanded for their services have doubled and tripled. . . . [T]he American manager is obliged to outbid European offers in order to induce artists to risk, in the present time, a visit to America. Lastly, no continental celebrity will agree to receive payment otherwise than in spice. This fact, owing to the extraordinary depreciation of our currency, contributes to the embarrassment of the managerial situation. . . .
Prime donne soprani: Carlotta Carozzi-Zucchi; Elvira Brambilla; Laura Harris; Jennie Van Zandt (1st time)
Prime donne mezzo-soprani and contralti: C. Morensi; Frida de Gebel, Adeline Motte (1st time). Comprimaria: Fannie Stockon
Primi tenori assolutti: Bernardo Massimiliani, Guglielmo Lotti. Comprimario: J Reichardt
Primi baritone: Ferdinando Bellini; Francesco Pierrotti
Primi bassi: A[illeg.] Susini; Amati Dubrueil, J. Weinlich. Comprimario: W Müller. Note: Negotiations are pending with another principal artist whose name will be duly announced.
Orchestra: A. Pedigram and Max Maretzek (conductors); Primo violino concertante, Henri Appy, Anthony Reiff (also leaders of the orchestra); chorus master, Herr Kerasen; stage manager, Amati Dubrueil; Maitre of Ballet, A Grossi; 1st danseuse, Mlle. Ernestine; Scenic artist: H.W. Calyo.
As for the operas to be performed, Maretzek points out that two important premieres will take place: Donizetti’s Don Sebastiano (Dom Sébastien), and Verdi’s La forza del destino, up to that time performed only in St. Petersburg and Madrid (therefore the NY premiere antecedes those at London, Paris and Milan).
Prime donne soprani: Carlotta Carozzi-Zucchi; Elvira Brambilla; Laura Harris; Jennie Van Zandt (1st time)
Prime donne mezzo-soprani and contralti: C. Morensi; Frida de Gebel, Adeline Motte (1st time). Comprimaria: Fannie Stockon
Primi tenori assolutti: Bernardo Massimiliani, Guglielmo Lotti. Comprimario: J Reichardt
Primi baritone: Ferdinando Bellini; Francesco Pierrotti
Primi bassi: A[illeg.] Susini; Amati Dubrueil, J. Weinlich. Comprimario: W Müller. Note: Negotiations are pending with another principal artist whose name will be duly announced.
Orchestra: A. Pedigram and Max Maretzek (conductors); Primo violino concertante, Henri Appy, Anthony Reiff (also leaders of the orchestra); chorus master, Herr Kerasen; stage manager, Amati Dubrueil; Maitre of Ballet, A Grossi; 1st danseuse, Mlle. Ernestine; Scenic artist: H.W. Calyo.
As for the operas to be performed, Maretzek points out that two important premieres will take place: Donizetti’s Don Sebastiano (Dom Sébastien), and Verdi’s La forza del destino, up to that time performed only in St. Petersburg and Madrid (therefore the NY premiere antecedes those at London, Paris and Milan).