Maretzek Italian Opera: Rehearsal of L’Africaine

“Next week will be mainly taken up by the rehearsals [of] the ‘Africaine’ . . . no opera will be given on Tuesday.”

“Rehearsal of the ‘Africaine’ will prevent the performance of an opera.”

“This evening there will be no performance, but instead there will be a full rehearsal of L’Africaine. Some idea of the excitement in the public mind respecting this opera may be formed from the fact that before 11 o’clock this morning every disposable seat in the Academy was sold. The rush commenced at a little after 8 a.m. and continued without intermission until at the hour first mentioned there was nothing more to sell. We knew that the ‘rush’ and we are satisfied that the excitement will continue until the close of the season.”

“The rehearsals of the ‘African’ have progressed in the most satisfactory manner. The entire opera and much of the scenery was given last evening with a satisfactory degree of precision and effect.  Few works have engaged more study. There can be no doubt that the ‘African’ will be the triumph of Mr. Maretzek's season. The sweep of the drama suits his company. The music lies easily within the range of the voices, and it is so distributed that no single artist has too much to do. Every one seems to have studied the work with enthusiasm.  The ensembles are perfect; the mise en scene unusually fine; the costumes varied and picturesque... the orchestra [has] been largely augmented; the chorus has also been increased. Mr. Bergmann presides in the orchestra, which has been largely augmented; the chorus has also been increased.

            The production . . . has cost the management many thousands of dollars.  It enjoys in this respect a preeminence over every other opera. Notwithstanding this creditable forbearance, the public interest is so great that all the seats for Friday and nearly all the seats for Saturday have been sold.  It is abundantly evident that the season will end with a gallop.”