Maretzek Italian Opera: Ernani
Event Information
Venue(s):
Academy of Music
Manager / Director:
Max Maretzek
Conductor(s):
Carl Bergmann
Event Type:
Opera
Record Information
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
18 August 2012
Performance Date(s) and Time(s)
11 Oct 1865, 8:00 PMProgram Details
Performers and/or Works Performed
Citations
“The work made a decided hit on the occasion of its revival last Wednesday, and its repetition has been very generally demanded.”
“Will be repeated, with the admirable cast of last week.”
‘The popular and brilliant Opera ‘Ernani,’ the freshest and most varied work that Verdi ever wrote, was repeated last evening to a large audience. This was the natural result of the reputation of the performance last week, which spread itself through all our musical circles, establishing itself as the best operatic performance given in New-York for several years.
We noticed the performance in full last week, when the same artists took part in the representation. In all the essentials, the performance last night was identical; it was sung with the same spirit and effect, and the applause was warm and unanimous throughout.”
“Academy of Music.—The repetition of ‘Ernani’ attracted another fashionable house last evening. The cast was the same as yesterday week, but the singers were hardly in such fine voice. Signor Marra indeed was in a deplorable plight, and could barely proceed after the second act. Fortunately, Mme. Zucchi was all right, and Signor Irfre warming to his work, speedily routed the trifling hoarseness which troubled him in the first act, and sang subsequently with capital spirit and effect. Signor Antonucci was admirable; and the orchestra and chorus were all that could be desired.”
“Last night ‘Ernani’ was repeated with fair success, though Marra the baritone was not in good voice.”
Ernani has “the finest in construction . . . the richest in melody, and . . . the most complete of all Verdi’s works.” Irfre has a few good notes, and a constant tremor. Comparable to Habelmann, but inferior to Brignoli. Coldly received by audience. Zucchi alone saves this opera. Antonucci has good high notes but is inferior to Hermann and greatly inferior to Weinlich. His method is Italian, not German. Marra’s acting is “entirely wanting in power as well as in flexibility.” Lack of enthusiasm of audience “remarkable.”