Maretzek Italian Opera: L’étoile du nord

Postponement of Kellogg’s benefit announced.

Announcement that Kellogg’s benefit has been postponed until Monday, due to her being “seriously indisposed.”

Announcement that Kellogg’s benefit has been postponed.

A doctor’s note informs the public of the postponement of Kellogg’s benefit, scheduled for this evening, due to a “severe . . . attack of influenza.”

Postponement announced.

“[T]he real attraction is furnished by the lady herself, who is justly popular with every one.”

A full house is anticipated.

“We hope that the Academy will be crowded to-night to overflowing, to do honor to our young American vocalist, to whose efforts during the past six months half the success of the season has been due.  It should be a point of national pride to give a generous support to one whose talents have been developed right in our midst, and who has successfully asserted her position as equal with the best Italian artists.  She is the product of our American art-instinct, and deserves all the encouragement and support our citizens can give to her.”
 

[Translation to come]

“Last night was a real triumph for Miss Kellogg, who received a benefit . . . The house was crowded from orchestra to the topmost tier—large numbers of ladies being obliged to stand in the aisles. It was not only a fashionable, but an appreciative and cultivated audience, whose approbation was worth the having, and whose enthusiastic and oft-repeated applause of Miss Kellogg was a very high tribute. At first she seemed a little nervous, but soon recovered herself, and thenceforward sang, perhaps, all the better. She was in excellent voice, and displayed her powers splendidly, especially in the trio with the two flutes.”

“Academy of Music.—Miss Kellogg's benefit last evening . . . exceeded even the best expectations of her friends. The house was crowded, not only in those better places which friendship might be expected to occupy, but in the upper regions where the masses utter their verdict. The lady, we are glad to say, was in excellent voice, having thoroughly recovered from her recent indisposition. Her reception was all that the heartiest friend could desire—whether botanically inclined, or otherwise. Miss Kellogg is the only American prima donna of whom we have reason to be proud.  Her career from the commencement has been that of an artist. She has gained every step by industry and study. There has been no sentimental nonsense expended on her. She has won honestly and fairly the first position, and occupies it to the acceptance of every one. No one has tried to ‘write her up.’ There has been but a single effort ‘to write her down’—and it failed. What she possesses to-day she owes to herself, and to that agreeable individuality she will—we are persuaded—be indebted for manifold successes in the future. The opera was ‘L’Etoile du Nord,’ and the performance was an excellent one. ”

    “Last night Meyerbeer’s Opera, ‘L’Etoile du Nord,’ was performed for the benefit of Miss Kellogg.  For once we have not a word of fault to find with the public; they did not hold back when they should have come forward; on the contrary they generously and cordially recognized the deserts of Miss Kellogg, and proved the sincerity of their appreciation by crowding the Academy to its utmost capacity. Long before the box-office closed in the afternoon, every seat in the house was sold, and a large number of the friends of the fair singer were disappointed in not being able to be present to add eclat to the occasion. It was a most fashionable and crowded audience, and one of the most brilliant of the season.
 
Miss Kellogg, notwithstanding her recent indisposition, was in excellent voice, and sang her role with grace, fluency, spirit and expression. It was a pleasure to listen to her true young voice, and to her execution so pure and so just in method. She is artistic in all she attempts, and enters fully into the characteristics of the role intrusted to her, working it out in her own way, and thus in a measure making it her own creation. Her rise has been very rapid; a few months have placed her far in advance of the position which even her most sanguine friends marked out for her, and still she is advancing. She has made signal triumphs this season, and has established a position for herself, and a popularity with her audience which no newcomer can shake. All her efforts on this occasion were justly received with enthusiasm, and the floral gifts tendered to her were numerous and of the most costly description, one basket of the rarest flowers alone costing over $200. The whole evening was one continuous ovation for our American prima donna, and it is but just to say that she merited every demonstration of admiration so lavishly bestowed.

The performance throughout was excellent; the principals were painstaking and acceptable, the chorus was excellent for precision and spirit, and the orchestra understands itself thoroughly and does its work well.”

“Very lonesome looked the Academy of Music since our last, and it is a question whether Max Maretzek took in enough people, or leastwise sufficient money to pay for his soup. This being Holy Week, Max, being a holy man, will give no performance between Monday and Saturday. [If it would pay, the house would be open every night, but this is between ourselves. Ed] Miss Kellogg has her benefit to-night, and that devilish opera called ‘Faust’ will wind up the week at a matinee.”

[Preliminary translation]

Sold out event. As usual for the L’Etoile, it was not a good performance.