Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
25 Oct 1864, 8:00 PM
Program Details
Thirteenth subscription night.
Performers and/or Works Performed
1)
Composer(s): Donizetti
Citations
1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 23 October 1864.
2)
Review: Courrier des États-Unis, 24 October 1864, 1.
There are several paragraphs devoted to Carozzi-Zucchi and virtually nothing about rest of the cast. “Never performed as good as [this day] in the city.” Never before had Irving place seen a success like that of Carozzi-Zucchi. The audience applauded her “frenetically.” The soprano is one of the best singers and actors in the world.
Many “dilettantes” have yet to return to New York from the Summer and do not plan to do so until the election on November 8. And that is hurting Maretzek and other impresarios. 3)
Advertisement: Courrier des États-Unis, 24 October 1864.
4)
Announcement: New-York Times, 24 October 1864.
5)
Announcement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 25 October 1864, 252.
6)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 25 October 1864, 7.
7)
Announcement: New-York Times, 25 October 1864.
8)
Review: New-York Times, 26 October 1864.
“Amusements. ADADEMY OF MUSIC—The repetition of ‘Il Poliuto’ last night fulfilled all the expectations that had been formed of its excellence by the previous performance. The work was received with positive enthusiasm, due not merely to the popular merits of the music, but to the singular vigor with which it was interpreted. Mlle. ZUCCHI’S superb style is heard to the best advantage in the rôle of Pauline, and her voice has never revealed itself in such abundance and beauty. The success is due largely to this lady, although in the finale to the second act Signor MASSIMILIANI fairly divides the honors with her. Signor BELLINI, too, contributes in no small degree to the effectiveness of the cast, which is in all respects equal to anything we have ever had here.”
9)
Review: New York Post, 26 October 1864.
“AMUSEMENTS. Donizetti’s fine opera, ‘Poliuto,’ has been given frequently in this city, and by artists of merit, though it never seems to have exactly hit the popular fancy before the present season; but the superb rendering of the principal parts by that fine trio of artists, Zucchi, Massimiliani and Bellini, has suddenly brought our opera-goers to a keener appreciation of the merits of this noble musical drama. Last night the large audience was worked up to an unusual pitch of excitement by the music of Donizetti as interpreted by Maretzek’s artists. At the close of the second and third acts the applause was such as has seldom been heard at our opera-house; and was intended as a recognition of the great histrionic ability of the prima donna as well as a testimony to the brilliancy of her singing. Massimiliani and Bellini were admirable in their respective parts, and the general mounting of the opera left nothing to be desired. ‘Poliuto,’ as given at our Academy of Music, ought to have a run of a month, and might profitably alternate with Faust for weeks to come.”
10)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 27 October 1864, 254.
The weakest opera of the composer was only performed once or twice in former seasons, yet this season it is well attended, which is evidence that the leading singers are performing their roles in an excellent way.
11)
Review: Courrier des États-Unis, 31 October 1864.
' . . . . Although we have been understood to express the contrary opinion, we prefer M. Massimiliani to his predecessors. This tenor is very remarkable in Poliuto, and he supports Mme Zucchi handsomely. As for her, we can only repeat what we've been saying fora week, and to apply to her talent the comments that Voltaire wished to put at the bottom of Racine's pages: Beautiful, Wonderful, Wonderful, Beautiful. Without tracing it back to Grisi, we can say that we heard Mme Penco, who passes for the best tragedienne of Europe in the Italian theater, in Poliuto. Well, Mme Penco is also a great artist, but Mme Zucchi doesn't yield her anything in the splendid role of Pauline. If we were to express a preference, it would be for the singer we have among us. She well deserved the crown that decorated her on Friday."
