Maretzek Italian Opera: La sonnambula

     “'La Sonnambula’ was performed . . . with Miss Louisa Kellogg, Signor Lotti and Signor Garibaldi, who took the character of the Count in consequence of the hoarseness of Signor Bellini.  The house was rather sparsely attended.  Miss Kellogg sang her role intelligently and brilliantly, and acted it with much spirit.  Should there be, however, in her personations a little more heart, a little more of the impulse of womanly tenderness, it would place her very much higher in rank as an artist.

     Lotti and Garibaldi were reasonably acceptable as Elvino and the Count, and that is all that can be said in their favor.  The chorus and orchestra were good but as a whole it can only be classed as a fair second-rate performance.”

     “La Sonnambula was given last night to a very good house. The incipient piety of the penitential season just opening was not particularly observable in the general appearance of the house. In fact Ash Wednesday made but little mark on the Academy; the toilettes were as good, and the ensemble about as bright as usual. The opera was acceptably rendered and well received. A change in the programme, however, became necessary by the indisposition of Signor Bellini, and his place in the role of the Count was filled, at short notice, by Signor Garibaldi.”