Maretzek Italian Opera: Don Giovanni

“Thousands of persons desire to hear Mozart’s immortal work, who, for many reasons, cannot attend the opera at night.”

“Our lady friends are in good luck to have [Don
Giovanni] at their own special performance.”

Notes early starting time.

[Preliminary translation]

"Opera was performed with the secondary cast, which seemed like 'musical slaughter.'"

“The opera of Il Don Giovanni attracted a very large audience to the matinee of Saturday morning.  Many hundreds were disappointed, owing to the change in the hour of commencement, which was not as generally known as it should have been. The opera was fairly performed throughout, and is some respects grandly, Zucchi rendering the character of Donna Anna with great vocal and dramatic power; Bellini personated the dashing Don in a spirited manner, and Irfre sang sweetly and smoothly.  The cast of characters not being anywhere announced, it was generally supposed that the part of Zerlina would be sustained by Miss Kellogg, and much disappointment was expressed when, on the bills of the day, Miss Adelaide Phillips was announced to sustain that part. Miss Phillips, of course, sung the music like a true artist, but it is as little suited to her voice as the character is to her natural style. The general excellence of the performance, however, satisfied the discontented, and the music exercised its usual spell upon all.”