Bel demonio

“It is thought this spectacular drama will take the town by storm.”

“The production of ‘Bel Demonio’ has been postponed yet another week.”

“This famous Drama, after many months’ preparation, will be presented with an excellent cast, beautiful new scenery, splendid appointments, new and costly costumes, original music, premier danseuses, and grand ballet.”

“‘Bel Demonio’ which has long been in course of preparation at Niblo’s Garden will this evening be produced, with all the scenic splendor for which Mr. Wheatley has made his theatre chiefly famous.  Mlle. Vestvali will sustain the character of the young lover—that which in London has in turn been personated by Messrs. Fechter and George Jordan.  The entire cast promises to be an effective one.  Marvelous ballet, and other agreeable things are also be expected.”

Full cast listing included. “The New Theatrical Sensation is ‘Bel Demonio’ to be produced for the first time in America, this evening, the 16^th inst., at Niblo’s Garden. No expense has been spared by Manager Wheatley to present the play before an American audience in proper form: new scenery, new and appropriate costumes, mechanical effects, etc., have been in course of preparation for several weeks, while rehearsals have been going on for some time in order that nothing might be left undone to ensure success from the beginning.  ‘Sixteen selected coryphees’ are in the ballet, led by Mlle. Katarina, Ella Kruga, and Rosina, all under the direction of Signor Ronzani. There will be between two and three hundred persons engaged in the new piece. John Brougham is the author of the new play, which has met with extraordinary success in London. Vestvali has been engaged for the leading part of Angelo, and the rest of the cast is as follows:-- [cast list]. 

“This being the commencement of the Summer season, the ILLUMINATED GARDENS WILL BE OPENED AS USUAL.”

Long review, with history of the play and a very detailed description of the plot.  “Bel Demonio”, the latest London sensation, was produced at Niblo’s on the 16^th inst., the performance being attended by one of the most crowded houses of the season, every seat being occupied, and when the curtain rose even standing room was like almost everything else now-a-days, at a premium. . . . Mr. Wheatley, in announcing the play, promised new scenery, new costumes, new appointments and novel mechanical efforts, besides and excellent corps de ballet, and a liberal force of auxiliary aid; and in every respect did he keep his word. The cast presented was in some respects good, while the errors consequent upon a first performance, such as a forgetfulness of the text and mismanagement of the scenic effects, were unusually few, the principal drawback being the great delay between the sets, one that each successive performance will no doubt lessen. The music was not on a ‘par,’ we thought, with the excellence of the other features of the presentation, though it was nevertheless good. . . . The third scene of the [first] act represents the grand hall of the palace. . . . When the council is dissolved, the hall vacated, and night ensues, Lena enters and prepares for a clandestine interview with Angelo, who visits her through the window and sings that charming air ‘You are the Star.’ . . . The 2nd act opens with a scene representing the exterior of an Italian Inn, the occasion of a crowd of peasants that are assembled being the celebration of the festival of the Patriots, during which the efficient corps de ballet go through with the beautiful Tarantella dance. . . . Vestvali, who was engaged to appear as Angelo, looked and dressed the part exceedingly well, but it was a very difficult thing to understand one-third of what she was talking about.  Her broken English was almost too much for us on this occasion.”

“Manager Wheatley opened the festive ball on Broadway with a new sensation called ‘Bel Demonio,’ and all New York flocked to see it.”